“What’s the matter now?” asked Jocelyn.
Every one looked at Claude, who seemed slightly ruffled, though he was usually the most even-tempered of the family.
“Oh, nothing! At least, I suppose not. They had the new motor out on the moor this afternoon.”
“My new motor!” cried Lady Jane, roused at last.
Motoring was her contribution to the list of the family sports.
“Yes,” answered Claude, very quietly now. “Ferguson and I were out looking after the young birds. Rather promising this year, I should say.”
He vouchsafed no further information, and began to sip his tea, but Lady Jane was trembling with anger.
“Do you mean to say that they were actually out on the moor—off the road? Where was Raddles? You can’t mean to say that he let those two——” Lady Jane was unable to express her feelings.
“Oh, yes. As soon as I got home I went to see about it, for I supposed you wouldn’t be pleased. They had locked the poor devil up in the storeroom of the garage, and he couldn’t get out. It’s really time something was done.”
“But didn’t you try to stop them?” asked Lady Jane. “Why didn’t you get in and bring them home yourself?”