if I had been ten years younger. It _is_ a fine day,
isn't it? I've been so absorbed I hadn't observed. Suppose we stop work
at three and let ourselves out into God's outdoors? Not a bad idea, eh?"

"Not bad," agreed Richard with a leap of spirits, "if it pleases you,
sir. I'm ready to work till the usual time if you prefer."

"Well spoken. But I don't prefer. I shall enjoy a stroll down the avenue
myself in this sunshine. What sunshine--for November!"

It was barely three when the Judge released his assistant, two hours
after the riding party had left. As he opened the front door and ran to
his waiting car, Richard was wondering how many miles away they were and
in what direction they had gone. He wanted nothing so much as to meet
them somewhere on the road--better yet, to overtake and come upon them
unawares.

A powerful car driven by a determined and quick-witted young man may
scour considerable country while three horses, trotting in company, are
covering but a few short miles. Richard was sure of one thing: whichever
road appealed to the young Grays as most picturesque and secluded on
this wonderful Indian-summer afternoon would be their choice. Not the
main highways of travel, but some enticing by-way. Where would that be?
He decided on a certain course, with a curious feeling that he could
follow wherever Roberta led, by the invisible trail of her radiant
personality. He would see! Mile after mile--he took them swiftly,
speeding out past the West Wood marshes with assurance of the fact that
this was certainly one of the favourite ways.

Twelve miles out he came to a fork in the road. Which trail? One led up
a steep hill, the other down into the river valley, soft-veiled in the
late sunshine. Which trail? He could seem to see Roberta choosing the
hill and putting her horse up it, while Ruth called out that the valley
road was better. With a sense of exhilaration he sent the car up the
hill, remembering that from the top was a broad view sure to be worth
while on a day like this. Besides, up here he might be able to see far
ahead and discern the party somewhere in the distance.

Just over the brow he came upon them where they had camped by the
roadside. It was a road quite off the line of travel and they were a
hundred feet back among a clump of pine trees, their horses tied to the
fence-rail. A bonfire sent up a pungent smoke half veiling the figures.
But the car had come roaring up the hill, and they were a