"She hesitated, but at length confessed she had a sister resident in Pimlico.
"'Ah!' said I. 'She married beneath her, perhaps?'
"Mrs. Petunia looked at me suspiciously in the lamplight. 'How did you guess that?' she asked.
"'Simplicity itself, ma'am,' I answered. 'She could hardly have done less. And from Eaton Square to Pimlico, what is it but a step?… Or, you may put it down to a brain-wave. Yes, ma'am. And I'm going to have another."
"I stepped to the door of the taxi, threw it open, and shouted to Farrell to tumble out.
"'Wha's matter?' he asked sleepily. 'Where are we?'
"'We're on the edge of Putney Heath,' said I.
"'Ri'!' said he in a murmur. 'You're true friend. First turning to the left and keep straight on. Second gate on Common pasht pillar-box.'
"I haled him forth. 'Look here,' said I. 'Pull yourself together. I find that we've, in our innocence, abducted this lady, who happened to be resting in the taxi when you jumped in.'
"Farrell, making a mental effort, blinked hard. 'That accounts for it,' said he. 'Thought I felt something wrong when I sat down.'