"Same to you."
They parted with a wave of the hand, Jane following her mistress and Flora into the garden at a run. But she had scarcely reached the path when two men came round the corner of the house and bore down upon her.
Harrison Smith was too good a strategist to announce his arrival by driving up to the front door. He had left the Ford at the end of the lane and entered the grounds by way of the kitchen garden. At the sight of Flora he bowed very politely, greeting her with a charming smile and an allusion to the clemency of the evening. It is possible these social amenities might have carried some weight but for the appearance of Freddie Dirk, whose heavy jowl, grimed with dust and perspiration, was not consistent with the idea of an afternoon caller. Flora fell back a pace into the room, wondering fearfully what course she should pursue.
"Don't be frightened, my girl, don't be frightened," Harrison Smith agreeably beseeched.
"Who are you? I don't know you," said Flora.
"We're friends of your master's, of course."
"That's it," said Dirk, huskily. "Pals of 'is, see!"
The tone was hardly convincing.
"My master is away, and has been away for some weeks."
"Yes, yes, yes, to be sure. But he's come back."