“A masterpiece indeed!”
The squire’s carriage had only just entered Lewes, when Bennet was seen to be gesticulating on the box, and was heard to cry out “Hi!” to someone in the street. It was Warner coming from the railway station, after having seen Trigger hurrying off to Sydenham.
“Get out,” said the squire to Harry Goodall, “and have your chat as soon as possible, while I go to the police authorities. The carriage shall come back and bring you up to me; perhaps, if you agree, Warner may be in time to push on to Newhaven by the first train, as the local police there will not allow the fugitives to escape, and no boat leaves for Dieppe until the tidal train departs.”
Highly delighted was the squire to see the aeronaut and the detective together when they came up in his carriage with an air of confidence and hope, as if they were of one mind as to Mr Goodall’s plan of recovering the lost property.
It was agreed that a telegram should be sent to Newhaven, and that Warner should proceed by the night tidal train. As there was time to spare, Warner proposed returning to the park to interrogate Saunders. And although the squire gave Warner leave to do so, he could not refrain from a mischievous smile at the detective’s zeal in wishing to get the cook’s version of her experiences from her own lips.
“Don’t allude to our little scheme before the ladies,” said the squire, as the carriage approached the Hall; “and as to you, Warner, I think you had better go round and see Saunders while you are in the humour.”
“Thank you, squire, I will avail myself of this early opportunity of picking up what I can, and will return.”
“You needn’t hurry for an hour at least,” said the squire, as he entered the Hall.
Harry Goodall availed himself of a word at parting with the detective.
“Simon!” he said, “you are a brighter and wiser man than ever I took you for. Keep everything dark, except your liking for the cook. At the same time, if you can pop in and interview Doctor Peters, do so, as I heard privately that the old fellow is in some trouble about what his servant alluded to at the meeting this afternoon.”