back to the Abbey at the time he encountered his unknown assailant.
In other words, that he had not only never returned to the place
after you and her ladyship saw him leaving it at a quarter to eleven,
but was never permitted to do so."

"Oh, come, I say! That's laying it on too thick. How the dickens can
you be sure of such a thing as that?"

"I'm not. I am merely laying before you the only two things possible
to explain his presence there. One or the other of them is the plain
and absolute truth. If the man went out there _after_ the filly was
stolen he is a scoundrel and a liar. If he is innocent, he met with
his injuries on the way back to his quarters above Highland Lassie's
stall."

"But the other animal? But Chocolate Maid? How could she have got
back to the stable, then? She couldn't have found her way back alone
after Farrow was assaulted--at least, she could, of course, but
not in the condition she was in when found next morning. She had no
harness of any sort upon her. Her saddle was on its peg. She was in
her box--tied up, b'gad! and the door of the box was closed and
bolted; so that if by any chance----Hullo! I say! What on earth are
you smiling in that queer way for? Hang it, man! do you believe
that I don't know what I'm talking about?"

"Oh, yes, Major. It isn't that kind of a smile. I have just
discovered that four and four make eight when you add them up
properly; and the smile is one of consequent satisfaction. A last
question, please. At what time in the morning was Farrow found
lying unconscious upon the moor?"

"Somewhere between six and seven o'clock. Why?"----

"Oh, nothing in particular. Who found him? Captain MacTavish?"

"No. Maggie McFarland. She was just coming back from milking
when----Hang it, man! I wish you wouldn't smile all up one side of
your face in that confounded manner. It makes me think that you
must have something up your sleeve."

"Well, if I have, Major, suppose you drive me over to the stables
and give me a chance to take it out?" suggested Cleek, serenely. "A
little 'poking about' sometimes does wonders, and a half hour in
Highland Lassie's quarters may pick the puzzle to pieces a great deal
sooner than you'd believe. Or, stop! Perhaps, on second thought, it
will be better for you and her ladyship to go on ahead, as I shall
want to have a look at Tom Farrow's injuries as well, so it will be
best to have everything prepared in advance, in order to save time.
No do