"Mrs. Berch and her daughter, whom we, Jerry, supposed to be at Bognor. I never knew that Mrs. Crosbie could drive a motor."
"Oh yes. I taught her a trifle myself, and she is quite an expert at the business. She mentioned to-day, when I stood by her carriage, how she had motored over every inch of the country. But what was she doing down hereabouts, when----"
"When she was supposed to be at Bognor? That is what I want to ask her, and I am glad that she is on the spot."
Gerald thought for a few moments. "How did you recognize these ladies, Mr. Arnold?"
"Major Rebb once showed me a colored photograph of the lady to whom he was engaged, and I recognized Mrs. Crosbie when she passed in her motor. A severe-looking old lady in black was with her, and Mr. Macandrew tells me that she is Mrs. Berch, the mother. I may tell you that the two ladies wore motor goggles and veils."
"Then how did you recognize them?" asked Gerald again.
"Mrs. Crosbie's veil was up as they passed, and she pulled it down when she saw that I was looking earnestly at her. The motor was going very slowly at the moment because a hay wain was in front blocking the road."
"I see. Well, what happened?"
"The motor went to the inn at Belldown. It was about six o'clock, and the two ladies had dinner. They were at the inn when I left Belldown in my caravan on the way to Leegarth where I hoped to rescue Mavis."
"Yes! yes! yes!" cried Tod, impatient at the slow way in which Arnold was speaking, "and late that night--about ten o'clock--he passed the motor on the road between Belldown and Leegarth. It had broken down, and Mrs. Crosbie was tinkering with the machine."