"You say our first stop is Southampton?" she asked.
"Yes, we reach there in less than an hour. They slip some carriages at Winchester, but the train doesn't stop," he replied.
"Then I think we should alight at Southampton," she said, "and return at once to Basingstoke."
"That would certainly be our best course. When you lose a man in a crowd, it is much better to wait at the point where you lost him till he finds you than to hunt for him yourself, as you will both miss each other."
"Then you propose to let them find us."
"That is my idea. Of course I'll telegraph to the station-master at Basingstoke that we will return there, so that if they wire for information concerning us he can give it them."
"Where do you think they have gone?"
"If we either of us knew our destination it would be far easier," he said, laughing. "I hope this will be a lesson to my wife."
"But surely the train must stop before it reaches Exeter."
"Undoubtedly; but as I have no time-table, I can't say where. Perhaps your husband has one in his overcoat. If you will permit me," and he proceeded to examine the garment in question.