with the Amber Guiting post-mark, and in a
handwriting he did not know--a funny little, clear, square handwriting
with character in every stroke.

He opened it and read:

"DEAR MR. LEDGARD,

"It is just possible you may have heard of me from Mrs.
Tancred or Miss Ross, but in case you haven't I will
explain that I am nurse to the little Tancreds and that
Miss Ross is my dearest friend. I think it would be a very
good thing if you came down to see her, for her
brother-in-law is here, and I am never quite sure what he
might persuade her to do if he put the screw on about the
children. There is a comfortable inn called 'The Green
Hart,' and there's another called 'The Full Basket,' but I
fear you'd not get a room there as it's very small and
always chock-full at this time of year with fishing people.

"You see, if you came down to 'The Green Hart,' Jan
couldn't say anything, for you've a perfect right to stay
there if you choose, and I know it would help her and
strengthen her hands to talk things over with you. She has
spoken much of your kindness to them all in India.

"Do you fish, I wonder? I'm sure Squire Walcote would be
amiable to any friend of Jan's.

"Believe me, yours truly,

"MARGARET MORTON."

Peter put the letter in his pocket and left the rest of his
correspondence till after breakfast, and his aunt decided that he really
was a most amusing and agreeable companion, and that she must have been
mistaken last night in thinking he seemed rather depressed and worried.

After breakfast he went out to send a reply-paid telegram, and then to
the garage, where he kept his car. Among other places he drove to "Hardy
Brothers" in Pall Mall, where he stayed over an hour.

By the time he got back to Artillery Mansions it was lunch time. More
letters awaited him, also a telegram.

During lunch he mentioned casually that he was going down into the
country for the week-end to fish. He was going to motor down.

"Yes," in answer to his aunt's inquiry, "I do know people down there,
but I'm not going to stay with them. I'm going to the inn--one's freer,
you know, and if the sport's good I may stay on a few days."

* * * * *

Mr. Withells came again for Hugo on Saturday morning and proposed a run
right over t