A little colour stole up to the roots of her hair. “I do not mean to tease you. I expect you will tell me all about it when—when it isn’t conjecture.”
“I expect I shall,” he agreed. “But that will not be tonight, so be off with you to bed, child!”
She went, but was back again a few minutes later, round-eyed and breathless. “Richard! He has found us! I have seen him! I am certain it was he!”
“Who?” he asked.
“Jimmy Yarde, of course! It was so hot in my room that I drew back the curtains to open the window, and the moon was so bright that I stood looking out for a minute. And there he was, directly below me! I could not mistake. And the worst is that I fear he saw me, for he drew back at once into the shadow of the house!”
“Did he indeed?” There was a gleam in Sir Richard’s eye. “Well, he is here sooner than I expected. A resourceful gentleman, Mr Jimmy Yarde!”
“But what are we going to do? I am not in the least afraid, but I should like to be told what you wish me to do!”
“That is very easily done. I wish you to exchange bedchambers with me. Show yourself again at the window of your own room, if you like, but on no account pull back the blinds in mine. I have a very earnest desire to meet Mr Jimmy Yarde.”
Her dimples peeped. “I see! like the fairy-story! “Oh, Grandma, what big teeth you have!” What an adventure we are having! But you will take care, won’t you, sir?”
“I will.”