“We start,” he said, “for Rosivera, to discover whether Mr. Red, the man Red, as he has been well described, the tenant of that house, has anything to do with the extraordinary series of disappearances which have disturbed the peace of this neighbourhood.”
Lord Manton said, “Hear, hear!” from his seat in the dogcart, and the crowd cheered again.
“We invite your presence, ladies, and place the waggonette which you see at your disposal. When you are seated in it we start at once. God save the King!”
“Hear, hear!” said Lord Manton again.
The four ladies, a little bewildered by this oration, took their seats in the waggonette. Mr. Goddard got up on his car and gave the order to march. The expedition started.
An hour’s steady driving brought the party to the top of the hill from which the gate of Rosivera is visible. Mr. Goddard gave the order to halt. It was passed forward to the leading car, and the expedition came to a standstill on the summit of the hill. Mr. Goddard got down from his car and walked up to Lord Manton.
“It’s a damned awkward thing,” he said, “to march up to a man’s house at the head of a body of men like this.”
“Don’t say you’re thinking of going back,” said Lord Manton. “It would be a shame to disappoint Miss Blow.”
“I’m not going back; but all the same it’s awkward. What excuse shall I make?”
“If he’s been kidnapping people,” said Lord Manton, “he won’t expect you to make any excuse.”