Walking from the lodge, Stuart hurried his steps and passed the stone pillars. He happened to glance back, and was surprised to note that he could see the lights. The rise of ground between the house and the gate was not so great as he had supposed.
He walked along the road to the Inn. His mind was working rapidly.
The presence of Benson and Grady in Greenhurst must be a threat. Knowing that the two malefactors were close by, Stuart gripped his.32.
It would be wise to be on the alert, tonight. He felt sure that he and Harry Vincent would have important work to do.
Stuart did not like the idea of leaving Sherwood Mayo. He had conceived a real friendship for the millionaire, and he realized that Mayo might be the man whom Benson and Grady menaced. Harry would give him the details; after all, there would be no danger until midnight. They would have time to get back to Mayo's — especially as Harry would probably be there in his coupe. There were four enemies to be encountered: Benson, Grady, and two others.
There would have to be a surprise attack to conquer them. Stuart and Harry were only two -
Then came the thought of the man in black — that mysterious person who appeared by night, who had rescued Stuart during the fight with the Filipino, who sent his secret messages by radio. If he were here tonight!
The thought gave Stuart keen satisfaction.
So engrossed was Stuart in his thoughts that he did not realize how far he had gone along the road. He stopped, a bit puzzled, at a crossroads. He could not recall that crossing. There was a signpost. He struck a match and looked at it curiously. It indicated a town called Dalewood.
That was odd. Stuart had not heard of such a place in the vicinity of Greenhurst. He started along the road again; then realized that he was unfamiliar with his surroundings. The road was entirely new to him; yet between the Inn and Mayo's lodge, the road was easy to follow, with no chance of going astray.