Stewart bowed. “I presume you are accompanying Mr. Bathurst, Mr. Daventry—I had hoped that we could have——”
Before Peter could frame an affirmative reply, Anthony had spoken for him. “Mr. Daventry will be remaining here until I return,” he intervened.
Stewart’s face showed a certain amount of surprise, but he accepted Anthony’s statement without demur.
“I’ll get Llewellyn to look up a train for you, Bathurst, and get one of the cars ordered for you.”
Anthony thanked him and turned away. “I’m afraid he’s a trifle disappointed in your choice of me as an investigator,” he murmured to Peter, “but perhaps in a few days I shall be able to rehabilitate myself in his good graces—or perhaps not—you never know, do you, Daventry?”
“I’m rather hipped at having to stay behind,” responded the latter.
Anthony caught his arm lightly and spoke in a low-toned voice. “You’re staying behind on special service. You’re on guard—and you must watch everybody without them having the ghost of an idea that you are watching them. Particularly you must see that nobody leaves this house on a journey to London without you follow him or her. If that does occur, let me know at once—understand?”
“Where shall I find you?”
“Telephone Goodall at the ‘Yard’—he’ll put you in touch with me.”
Peter nodded with understanding. Then an idea came to him. “You say ‘a journey to London.’ Why London? Supposing I find somebody leaving for Stow-on-the-Wold? Or Husband’s Bosworth?” He grinned in appreciation of his poser.