Mr. Priestley was of the opinion that the car should be abandoned by the side of the road. Laura was determined to do nothing of the sort and said so, emphasising her decision by the argument that this would inevitably put the police on their trail, whereas the car might lie in a garage for months without being found. Mr. Priestley was impressed by this reasoning and acquiesced.
In Manstead, therefore, Laura dropped Mr. Priestley by the station and drove the car alone to the nearest garage that was open. She told him that she was doing this in order to lessen the chances of detection, for while one young woman is very much like another young woman, because both will inevitably be wearing exactly the same shape of hat and the same length of skirt, Mr. Priestley was emphatically only like Mr. Priestley. Laura was, therefore, at liberty to tell the man at the garage that the car would be called for in a day or two by a large gentleman answering to the name of Mr. George Howard, who would pay all dues upon it. Having said this, she thoughtfully added that while the car was there it might just as well as not have its brakes taken up a little, its clutch eased, its paintwork washed down and, in short, a general and comprehensive overhaul, with replacement of all defective parts. Laura and the garage man then parted, excellent friends.
Mr. Priestley had taken two tickets to London, and was awaiting his travelling-companion with feverish impatience. There was a train just due, and not another for three hours.
They caught it, by the skin of Mr. Priestley’s left shin.
At ease in an empty first-class compartment they were at liberty to relax and regain their breath, which Mr Priestley did to the accompaniment of vigorous rubbing of his left shin. Then he replaced his pince-nez, which had fallen off in the rush, and beamed with altruistic (or nearly altruistic) benevolence at his protégée.
“About this plan of mine that I mentioned,” beamed Mr. Priestley. “I never told you about it, did I?”
“No, I don’t believe you did,” politely said Laura, who had also been making a plan of her own. Laura’s plan was simple. It consisted in giving Mr. Priestley the slip on the first opportunity after they had reached London, and taking the first available train back to Duffley.
“Well,” said Mr. Priestley, happily unconscious of this, “what I propose is that you take up your residence in my rooms, where you can remain to all intents and purposes in hiding.”
“Oh!” said Laura, somewhat taken aback. “But——”
Mr. Priestley held up a protesting hand. “No, please! I know exactly what you are going to say. You are a high-spirited girl, and I quite understand. But it will not be charity at all. I propose also to offer you the post of private secretary to myself.” And with the triumphant air of one who has removed all obstacles, Mr. Priestley leaned back in his corner and smiled happily.