Before the girls could speculate further, Captain Poppleton broke out excitedly:
"Oh, sir, I have lost the Emperor."
All looked up, but the Admiral, whom Captain Poppleton addressed, did not change expression as the officer continued:
"We were riding along one of the paths on the side of the mountain, when suddenly the Emperor turned short around to the left and almost flew up the mountain. None of the generals accompanied him. I started, but I could not follow. My horse would not take the steep ascent. So I came back to you. If there is a plot—"
"Nonsense:" cried the Admiral, and his tone was echoed by Mr. Balcombe. It was natural that Captain Poppleton should feel alarm at the sudden disappearance. But the Admiral was made of sterner stuff. "Go back to Longwood," he said quietly to the officer. "You will find Napoleon there."
This proved to be the case, for when he reached Longwood the Emperor was at dinner, and he laughed at poor Captain Poppleton for his fears.
If Betsy had ventured to express herself
