Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/35

Rh be taking a last glance round the premises. Going up to him, I asked whether he had seen my servant; he could give me no news of him. I had no luggage-ticket, for mine had been in Bauer's hands, but I prevailed on him to allow me to look at the baggage which had arrived: my property was not among it. The station-master was inclined, I think, to be a little sceptical as to the existence both of bag and of servant. His only suggestion was that the man must have been left behind accidentally. I pointed out that in this case he would not have had the bag with him, but that it would have come on in the train. The station-master admitted the force of my argument; he shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands out; he was evidently at the end of his resources.

Now, for the first time and with sudden force, a doubt of Bauer's fidelity thrust itself into my mind. I remembered how little I knew of the fellow, and how great my charge was. Three rapid movements of my hand assured me that letter, box, and revolver were in their respective places. If Bauer had gone hunting in the bag, he had drawn a blank. The station-master noticed nothing; he was staring at the dim gas lamp that hung from the roof. I turned to him.

"Well, tell him when he comes——" I began.