She paused for a moment to draw in a deep breath, and then went on with some emotion. “I may tell you now that Larose has already been of great service to me, for he was with me the other night when that attempt was made to waylay me in my car. He fired upon them when they were after us, and burst one of their tyres and that is only how we managed to get away.”
Then suddenly all eyes were turned from her to the butler behind, for the man, ghostly pale, was seen to stagger and almost fall. One of the footmen rushed up to him, and steadying him upon his feet, half supported and half carried him from the room.
The incident occasioned no little concern among the ladies and Lady Ardane herself looked very upset.
“He's served the family for over 30 years,” she explained, “and he's very devote
