They turned at last into the Old Kent Road, and then on as far as a dark little place which Ronnie knew as Kingsdown. Then, branching to the right, keeping the red rear-light ever in view, they went by the byways as far as Meopham and on past Jenkin’s Court, through some woods until suddenly the car turned into a gateway and went across some open pastures.
Ronnie saw that he had not been noticed by the driver, who was too intent upon his speed and quite unsuspicious. Therefore he pulled up dead, waited for ten minutes or so, and then flew past the gateway at top speed. For nearly a mile he went, and at last came to a standstill upon a long, steep slope with a copse on each side, quite dark on account of the overhanging trees.
Having run the car to the side of the road they alighted. Ronnie switched off the lamps, and they walked noiselessly back on the grass by the roadside and at length, having turned in at the gateway, saw, in the dim light, a long, low-built farmhouse with haystacks beside it and big barns.
The throb of the car’s engine showed that the Germans were probably only depositing the trunk, and did not intend to remain.
The watchers, therefore, withdrew again into the shadow of a narrow little wood close to the house and there waited in patience. Their expectations were realised a quarter of an hour later when the two men emerged from the modern-built farmhouse and drove away, evidently on their return to London.
By their manœuvre Pryor became greatly puzzled. He could not see why that trunk had been transferred to that lonely farm in the night hours.
After the car had disappeared they waited in motionless silence for some time until, after a whispered consultation, they ventured forth again.
Cranch’s suggestion was to examine the place, but unfortunately a collie was roaming about, and as soon as they came forth from their place of concealment the dog gave his alarm note.
“Ben!” cried a gruff, male voice in rebuke, while at the same time a light showed in the upper window of the farm.
Meanwhile the trio of watchers remained hidden in the shadow of a wall close to the spacious farmyard until the dog had gone back.