Even as he spoke the foliage to the left moved ever so slightly and a dark form could be seen creeping stealthily away along the ground.
CHAPTER
5
THE MISSING BRIDEGROOM
Salt acted instinctively. Leaping over the wire barrier he dived into the bushes. Hurling himself upon the man who crouched there, he pinned him to the ground. The fellow gave a choked cry and tried to pull free.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Salt muttered, coolly sitting down on his stomach. “Snooping, eh?”
“You let me up!” the man cried savagely. “Let me up, I say!”
“I’ll let you up when you explain what you were doing here.”
“Why, you impudent young pup!” the man spluttered. “You’re the one who will explain. I am Mrs. Kippenberg’s head gardener.”
Salt’s hand fell from the old man’s collar and he apologetically helped him to his feet. Penny, who had reached the scene, stooped down and recovered a trowel which had slipped from the gardener’s grasp.
“It was just a little mistake on my part,” Salt mumbled. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“No fault of yours you didn’t,” the old man snapped. “A fine howdydo when a person can’t even loosen earth around a shrub without being assaulted by a ruffian!”