Mrs. Vane found
that she could reach East Winstead by seven, and, allowing for one hour
at St. Elizabeth's, could be back in London by half-past nine. She, who
was said to be an invalid, who never walked half a mile alone or exerted
herself in any avoidable way, now showed herself as unwearied, as
vigorous, as energetic as any able-bodied detective in the pursuit of
his duty. She went first to the station where she had left Parker, and
gave the maid her instructions. Parker was to go to the Grosvenor Hotel
and engage rooms for the night for herself and her mistress, and to see
that every requisite for comfort was provided for Mrs. Vane when she
arrived. At half-past seven precisely she was to despatch a telegram
which Flossy herself had written for the General's benefit, announcing
her intention to stay the night in town. It was not to be sent earlier,
as in that case the General would be rushing off to London to take care
of his wife, and Flossy did not want him in the least. If he got the
telegram between eight and nine, he would scarcely start that night,
although she knew that she might fully expect to see him in the morning.
He was a most affectionate husband, and never believed that his wife was
capable of doing anything for herself.

Parker was much amazed by Mrs. Vane's proceedings, and did not believe
that the dentist was responsible for them, or Mr. Hubert Lepel either,
although Flossy was careful to put the blame of her detention upon these
innocent persons. She was not allowed to know what her mistress was
going to do, but was sent away from the station to the hotel at once in
a hansom-cab. Then Flossy calmly provided herself with sandwiches and a
flask of sherry, took a return-ticket for East Winstead and found
herself moving out of the station in a fast train at exactly five
minutes to six. It was quick work; but she had accomplished the task
that she had set herself to do. Flossy had a genius for intrigue.

She reached East Winstead at seven, and found a cab at the station. The
drive to St. Elizabeth's occupied twenty minutes--longer than she had
anticipated. She would have to do her work--make all her inquiries--in
exactly one quarter of an hour if she meant to catch the next train to
London. Well, a quarter of an hour ought to tell her all that she wished
to know.

She took little notice of the beauty of garden and architecture at St.
Elizabeth's; these were not what she had gone to see. She asked at