The sergeant-major looked round helplessly at his wife and daughter.
“Prove it,” said Mr. Farrer, pushing his advantage. “You questioned my courage, and I stayed there three hours. Where were you?”
“You were not there,” said the sergeant-major. “I know. You can't bluff me. You were afraid.”
“I was there, and I'll swear it,” said Mr. Farrer. “Still, there's no harm done. I'll go there again to-night, and I'll dare you to come for me?”
“Dare?” said the sergeant-major, choking. “Dare?”
“Dare,” repeated the other; “and if you don't come this time I'll spread it all over Marcham. To-morrow night you can go there and wait for me. If you see what I saw—”
“Oh, Ted!” said Miss Ward, with a shiver. “Saw?” said the sergeant-major, starting. “Nothing harmful,” said Mr. Farrer, calmly.
“As a matter of fact, it was very interesting.”
“What was?” demanded the sergeant-major.
“It sounds rather silly, as a matter of fact,” said Mr. Farrer, slowly. “Still, I did see a broken bough moving about the garden.”