Mr. Plowman tried not to run
down the drive. With her heart in her mouth, Mrs. Plowman peered past
the geyser to where the branches of a monkey-puzzler maddeningly
obstructed her view of the front gate....

Two minutes later the little solicitor reappeared, walking most
delicately and attending a tall, distinguished-looking man with every
circumstance of veneration. Behind them came two other strangers, who
might have been equerries. That, for all his ecstasy, Mr. Plowman
remembered to throw a smile up to the bathroom window, literally
reduced Mrs. Plowman to tears of joy.

It was no desire for refreshment, but pure kindness of heart that moved
Sir Giles Molehill to accept the attorney's invitation. And, as was
his way in life, he did the thing handsomely. Did he see beer?
Splendid. He would have a bottle of beer. Yes, and a sandwich.
Excellent. Just the thing after an eighty-mile run. What excellent
roads they kept in Oxfordshire! He never remembered better. And the
Cotswold air was magnificent. Really, one had to spend one's days in a
stuffy Court in Town to appreciate the country as it deserved.

"Yet we thrive on the atmosphere, bad as it is. Look at the time we
live, Mr. Plowman. Who ever heard of a Judge dying? Yes. I really
must have another sandwich. They're so excellent. And now we want you
to come with us in the car and take us to Mr. Lyveden ... _Major_
Lyveden, is he? Right ... D.S.O.? Good fellow. Wonder what he got
that for. And then you'll come on to lunch...."

By the time they were back in the car, Mr. Plowman was upon the edge of
praying for an occasion of saving his lordship's life at the expense of
his own....

At the south-west corner of Gramarye the guide gave the signal, and the
car was stopped. Then Plowman and Orphan alighted and passed up the
wasted track. Except for a wreath of smoke curling from the chimney,
the cottage might have been deserted....

"I rather expect," said Plowman, "he'll be having his dinner...."

A second later he was tapping upon the door.

For a moment there was a dead silence. Then a stealthy movement made
itself heard....

The two men listened intently.

From the London road the Judge and Blithe were watching them closely.

The door remaining fast shut, Mr. Plowman knocked again.

Instantly the movement ceased. After perhaps twenty seconds it was
renewed, but with a difference. The stealth had become hasty.

The two men sta