"Affect us!" he cried. "Do you remember what I telegraphed my Vice-Consul?"
"Yes, almost word for word," she answered. "You asked for news of the fugitives, and, on the chance of their writing to Christchurch, told him to forward here anything that might have come for you."
"Exactly," shrieked the Consul; "and the blamed fool has forwarded the elephant!"
"What! Here? To Melton Court?" she exclaimed, aghast.
"That is what I said. The beast is on the way now, and ought to be here bright and early to-morrow morning."
"I don't know about you, but I mean to leave the elephant. I don't wish to start a bigger circus than I have on hand already."
"But would it be quite right to our hostess?" expostulated her niece.
"If you've any conscientious scruples on the subject, you can stay and tend the beast. I'm leaving by the first train."
"Of course it is, and I've a right to do what I choose with it. I mean to leave it to Lady Melton, in payment for my board and lodging. After the way she's treated me I don't want to owe her anything."
"Really, Mr. Allingford----" began his companion.
"Now look here," he retorted; "would you want an elephant tagging you round on your honeymoon?"
"Well, no, I don't think I should," she replied, laughing.
"Besides," he continued, "how am I to prosecute a search for our missing halves with a Noah's ark in tow?"
"That does put the matter in a different light," she admitted.
"You bet it does!" he replied. "As for her ladyship, she can do what she pleases with my slight token of regard. Give it to the poor of the parish, if she likes; I don't ask her to keep it."
"Oh, you are to be sent home with the butler early to-morrow morning."
"But supposing we don't find my husband to-morrow----"
"Then I'll take you down to my consulate at Christchurch for the night. I have plenty of friends there with whom you can stay."
So it was that they stole away from the Court in the grey dawn of the next morning, footed it to Salisbury, recovered their baggage, and boarded the early train for Southampton. As it moved out of the station they passed a long line of box cars on a siding, from one of which the angry scream of an elephant resounded.
"Just in time," said the Consul with a sigh of relief. "I wish her ladyship joy of my little remembrance."