But it has come to my knowledge that the
shelter of my roof and name were being given to proceedings of which
I heartily disapproved. I therefore only a few hours ago formally
broke off all connection with Saxe Leinitzer and his friends, and to
put the matter plainly, I expelled them from the house."
"I congratulate you heartily, Duke, upon a most sensible proceeding,"
Mr. Sabin said. "But in the meantime where is my wife?"
"Your wife was not present at the time," the Duke answered, "and I
had not the slightest intention of including her in the remarks I
made. Whether she understood this or not I cannot say, but I have
since been given to understand that she left with them."
"How long ago?" Mr. Sabin asked.
"Several hours, I fear," the Duke answered. "I should like,
Souspennier, to express to you my regrets that I was ever induced
to become connected in any way with proceedings which must have
caused you a great deal of pain. I beg you to accept my apologies."
"I do not blame you, Duke," Mr. Sabin said. "My one desire now is
to wrest my wife away from this gang. Can you tell me whether she
left alone or with any of them?"
"I will endeavour to ascertain," the Duke said, ringing the bell.
But before the Duke's somewhat long-winded series of questions had
gone very far Mr.
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