"That will do all right. Don't be later if you can help it. I've been let in for an unexpected appointment at four o'clock, and there are several things I'd like to talk to you about first."
"Well, if it comes to that," remarked Colin, "there's something I'm pretty anxious to discuss with you."
"Anything serious?" rapped out the other.
"Only that somebody tried to murder me last night."
"Tried to murder you! Who was it?"
"Seems to have been a syndicate," was the answer. "The principal parties were two gentlemen called 'Spike' Cooper and Jake Hudson, both of this parish. The third one was the same cheery sportsman who kicked you in the tummy."
He heard a muttered exclamation at the other end of the telephone.
"You had better not say any more now. Come along up immediately. If this is true it's of the utmost importance."
"Yes," said Colin drily. "It struck me that way too."
He replaced the receiver, and, turning round, found Mark and Nancy standing in the doorway.