pony, Jane. You know
how, don't you?"

"Yes, miss, I've helped the master many a time. But you ain't going to
catch no motor with old Toby, Miss Sara."

"No, I don't expect to. I'm gong to drive across to Far End. Mr. Trent
will help us. Don't worry, Jane"--as the two made their way to the
stable and Jane strangled a sob--"we'll bring Miss Molly back. And,
listen! Mrs. Selwyn isn't to hear a word of this. Do you understand? If
she asks you anything, tell her that Miss Molly and I are dining out.
That'll be true enough, too," added Sara grimly, "if we dine at all!"

Jane sniffed, and swallowed loudly.

"Yes, miss," she said submissively. "You and Miss Molly are dining out.
I won't forget."

CHAPTER XVII

THEY WHO PURSUED

Selwyn's pony had rarely before found himself hustled along at the
pace at which Sara drove him. She let him take his time up the hills,
knowing, as every good horse-woman knows, that if you press your horse
against the hill, he will only flag the sooner and that you will lose
more than you gain. But down the hills and along the flat, Sara, with
hands and whip, kept Toby going at an amazing pace. Perhaps something
of her own urgency communicated itself to the good-hearted beast, for
he certainly made a great effort and brought her to Far End in a shorter
time than she had deemed possible.

Exactly as she pulled him to a standstill, the front door opened and
Garth himself appeared. He had heard the unwonted sound of wheels on
the drive, and now, as he recognized his late visitor, an expression of
extreme surprise crossed his face.

"Miss Tennant!" he exclaimed in astonished tones.

"Yes. Can your man take my pony? And, please may I come in? I--I must
see you alone for a few minutes."

Trent glanced at her searchingly as his ear caught the note of strain in
her voice.

Summoning Judson to take charge of the pony and trap, he led the
way into the comfortable, old fashioned hall and wheeled forward an
armchair.

"Sit down," he said composedly. "Now"--as she obeyed--"tell me what is
the matter."

His manner held a quiet friendliness. The chill indifference he had
accorded her of late--even earlier that same day at Rose Cottage--had
vanished, and his curiously bright eyes regarded her with sympathetic
interest.

To the man as he appeared at the moment, it was no difficult matter for
Sara to unburden her heart, and a few minutes later he was in possession
of all the facts concerning