'Why, yes, of course,' was the answer.
'Then,' said Mr. Turton, 'if we follow the road, we might be able to intercept the boy. I am very much obliged to this young lady. But in case you should see him after all,' he continued, 'allow me to give you this card. If you could manage to detain him while you communicate with me at Castlemore you would confer the greatest favour.'
I could not catch the answer, but a few minutes later, I heard the cab-door shut and knew that Mr. Turton and Augustus, thanks to Jacintha, had been driven off in the direction of Barton, five and a half miles distant. So that they would have eleven miles to drive before they returned to this spot, leaving me at least two hours (reckoning for the search at Barton and so forth) to make good my escape.
In the meantime the motor-car still continued to make strange noises, and every now and then its owner gave vent to curious exclamations.
'Don't you think,' suggested Jacintha, 'it would be best to try to get as far as the farrier's we passed opposite the footpath to Barton?'
'Upon my word, I almost think it would!' was the answer. 'Come, suppose you take your seat.'
'Oh!' cried Jacintha, 'but if you don't mind I think I would sooner walk—it is not far, you know.'
So a few moments later the motor-car made stranger noises than ever and moved away, evidently with difficulty, and when it had gone a little distance Jacintha came to the hedge again.
'It's all right now,' she cried, and rising I came to the edge of the field.
'I am most awfully obliged to you,' I said.