Having arrived home he drove up to the garage, and leaving the car in the care of Jennings, walked down the path on to the lawn where he had left Guy and Isabel. The chairs they had been sitting on were still there, but there was no sign of their late occupants. Thinking that perhaps another botany lesson was in progress, Tony strolled on round the garden, but except for a white whiskered gentleman who was doing something mysterious with a spade, the place seemed to be deserted. He returned to the house, and entering the morning-room by the open French window rang the bell for Spalding.
"They have gone across to number sixteen, Sir Antony," replied the latter in answer to his inquiry. "Miss Francis wished to return before lunch, and Mr. Guy told me to inform you that he and Bugg had walked across with her. They will be back by one o'clock."
There was a pause.
"I suppose you heard about our little entertainment there yesterday?" said Tony.
Spalding inclined his head. "Mrs. Spalding informed me of the facts, sir. They appear to have made a considerable impression upon her."
"Mrs. Spalding was magnificent," said Tony. "It's quite impossible to frighten her."
"Quite, sir," agreed Spalding. "I have observed that myself, sir."
"I hope you don't object, Spalding," said Tony. "I don't think we did any harm to your property."
"That's perfectly all right, sir," replied the butler. "I trust that you will consider yourself quite at home there. The house is fully insured."
"Thank you, Spalding," said Tony. "You are always very obliging."