ted, therefore, the suggestion of Bill
that they should have a second round in the afternoon, and drive home
comfortably after tea. The other golfers were willing enough, but Mrs.
Calladine, without actually saying that Mr. Ablett wouldn't like it, was
firm on the point that, having arranged to be back by four, they should
be back by four.

"I really don't think Mark wants us, you know," said the Major. Having
played badly in the morning, he wanted to prove to himself in the
afternoon that he was really better than that. "With this brother of his
coming, he'll be only too glad to have us out of the way."

"Of course he will, Major." This from Bill. "You'd like to play,
wouldn't you, Miss Norris?"

Miss Norris looked doubtfully at the hostess.

"Of course, if you want to get back, dear, we mustn't keep you here.
Besides, it's so dull for you, not playing."

"Just nine holes, mother," pleaded Betty.

"The car could take you back, and you could tell them that we were
having another round, and then it could come back for us," said Bill
brilliantly.

"It's certainly much cooler here than I expected," put in the Major.

Mrs. Calladine fell. It was very pleasantly cool outside the golf-house,
and of course Mark would be rather glad to have them out of the way. So
she consented to nine holes; and the match having ended all-square, and
everybody having played much better than in the morning, they drove back
to the Red House, very well pleased with themselves.

"Halo," said Bill to himself, as they approached the house, "isn't that
old Tony?"

Antony was standing in front of the house, waiting for them. Bill waved,
and he waved back. Then as the car drew up, Bill, who was in front with
the chauffeur, jumped down and greeted him eagerly.

"Hallo, you madman, have you come to stay, or what?" He had a sudden
idea. "Don't say you're Mark Ablett's long-lost brother from Australia,
though I could quite believe it of you." He laughed boyishly.

"Hallo, Bill," said Antony quietly. "Will you introduce me? I'm afraid
I've got some bad news."

Bill, rather sobered by this, introduced him. The Major and Mrs.
Calladine were on the near side of the car, and Antony spoke to them in
a low voice.

"I'm afraid I'm going to give you rather a shock," he said. "Robert
Ablett, Mr. Mark Ablett's brother, has been killed." He jerked a thumb
over his shoulder. "In the house."

"Good God!" said the Major.

"Do you mean that he has kil