"Yes. I met him both at Lady Corsoon's and at the Bazaar. He said that his sister _did_ wish to bring about the match, but that, not being desirous of marrying Ida, he ran away from the Hall."
"Leaving the field clear for Maunders?"
"You forget that Maunders is in town masquerading as Diabella."
"He may have come up for that purpose."
"Well, we can ascertain that from Mr. Hest. He declares that he left him at Gerby Hall, or that Maunders was expected, I forget which. But we'll see him to-morrow and ask."
Towton shook his head wisely. "He won't know of Maunders' movements."
"You never can tell. At all events, it will do no harm to ask him. Now I come to think of it," said Vernon musingly and searching his memory, "Hest told me to-day at the bazaar that he had received a letter from his sister saying that Maunders had arrived on Sunday morning. That was yesterday, so it is impossible to believe that Maunders went down and came up in such a hurry. It's my opinion that he never went to Gerby Hall at all."
"And I say, by jove!" cried the Colonel greatly excited, "Hest told a lie if he said that he received a letter saying that Maunders had arrived. Even if posted in Bowderstyke last evening it could not reach him before to-night, and you say he gave you the information this afternoon?"
"He may have received it at mid-day."
"No," said Towton decidedly. "Our post at Bowderstyke is very uncertain, as I know to my cost. This evening or to-morrow morning is the very earliest that Hest could receive a letter posted on Sunday, and as Maunders did not arrive until then Miss Hest could not have written before."