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Chapter 3
Theyputtheircarinacoach-houseundertheinnkeeper’sinstructions,andenteredthehouse.TwentyminuteslaterIsawfrommywindowasecondcarcomeacrosstheplateaufromtheoppositedirection.Itdidnotcomeuptotheinn,butstoppedtwohundredyardsoffintheshelterofapatchofwood.Inoticedthatitsoccupantscarefullyreverseditbeforeleavingit.AminuteortwolaterIheardtheirstepsonthegraveloutsidethewindow.
Myplanhadbeentoliehidinmybedroom,andseewhathappened.Ihadanotionthat,ifIcouldbringthepoliceandmyothermoredangerouspursuerstogether,somethingmightworkoutofittomyadvantage.ButnowIhadabetteridea.Iscribbledalineofthankstomyhost,openedthewindow,anddroppedquietlyintoagooseberrybush.UnobservedIcrossedthedyke,crawleddownthesideofatributaryburn,andwonthehighroadonthefarsideofthepatchoftrees.Therestoodthecar,veryspickandspaninthemorningsunlight,butwiththedustonherwhichtoldofalongjourney.Istartedher,jumpedintothechauffeur’sseat,andstolegentlyoutontotheplateau.
AlmostatoncetheroaddippedsothatIlostsightoftheinn,butthewindseemedtobringmethesoundofangryvoices.
