I can't see her game."

"What do you mean by her game?"

"If you don't know, it isn't often you're so dull. She's up to
something and Meg Keith sees it; she keeps a close watch on the woman
and when she's forced to take her eyes off her sets Miss Graham on
guard."

"Do you mean that Miss Graham informs her of what Mrs. Chudleigh says
or does?"

"Nothing farther from my thoughts. Meg Keith has lots of pluck, but
she'd be shy of suggesting such a course to that girl. What she does
is not to trust the woman alone when she can help it; when you see Mrs.
Chudleigh you'll generally find Meg or her companion in the
neighbourhood. The plot's interesting and the Colonel's in it. I've
an idea that Meg's somehow defending him. He's an old friend and she's
as staunch as they're made."

"If there is more in the situation than appears on the surface, you had
better leave it alone. You won't improve matters by interfering."

"Seen that all along," Foster agreed. "I'll stick to my shooting, but
provided that I keep my hands off, there's no harm in looking on. But
you mark me; there'll be developments."

He broke off with a chuckle and Mrs. Foster walked on in thoughtful
silence. Her husband occasionally showed shrewd observation, and she
believed that he was right in the present instance. Something was
undoubtedly going on, but she could not determine what it was. As she
entered the hall she saw Millicent talking to one of her sporting
guests who had shown a preference for her society and Mrs. Chudleigh
watching. The latter liked admiration but her expression indicated
critical scrutiny rather than jealousy. Mrs. Foster imagined that she
was trying to analyse the girl's charm. Then as she came forward with
her husband the others joined them and shortly afterwards tea was
brought in.

CHAPTER XVIII

COLONEL CHALLONER PROVES OBDURATE

A week after Mrs. Foster's visit Challoner drove over to Hazlehurst in
the afternoon and on reaching the lodge found her setting out with
several of her guests to meet Foster and his friends on their return
from shooting. Refusing to allow her to turn back with him, he
accompanied the party, and some time later Mrs. Keith, who had remained
at home, went out on the terrace. Following it to the end of the house
near which the stables stood, she saw a man leading in a horse which
she thought she knew.

"Isn't that bay Colonel Challoner's?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," said