At last the motor hummed up to the portico. Diana was in it before it drew up.
"Overtake Jarvis," she said, and sat back, palpitating.
They flew down the avenue, and along the high road. But Jarvis had had nearly half-an-hour's start, and was a dependable man. A little way from the lodge gates they met him returning.
"On! To the post-office!" cried Diana.
It so happened that a smart, new post-office had lately been opened, in the centre of the little town—a stone building, very official in appearance. Its workings were carried out with great precision and authority. The old postmaster was living up to the grandeur of his new building.
Diana walked in, letting the door swing behind her.
"Has the Riverscourt bag been emptied yet?" she enquired. "If not, bring it to me, unopened."
A clerk went into the sorting-room, and returned in a few minutes with the letter-bag, open and empty.
"Has the mail gone?" demanded Diana.
No, the mail had not gone. It was due out, in a few minutes.