The Postmaster of Market Deignton by E. Phillips Oppenheim

At a quarter-past two David returns from his dinner. I despatch him at once to Mrs. Mason's cottage with a message of inquiry as to the reason for her sudden absence. In an hour he is back again. The cottage is empty and shut up, he tells me. There is no sign of Mrs. Mason anywhere.

Punctually at four o'clock my visitor arrives. The consolation of her beloved Corneille has evidently been only temporary. She is looking troubled and anxious.