n his errand.

In a moment the thought that a possible accident might have befallen
Nan broke up the party. Kitty and Penelope hurried off in quest of
rugs and sandwiches and brandy--anything that might be of service,
while the men drew together, conversing in low voices while they waited
for the car.

"You'll find her, Barry?" St. John's voice shook a little. "You'll
bring her back safe?"

"I'll bring her back." Barry laid kindly hands on the old man's
shoulders which had seemed suddenly to stoop as though beneath a
burden. "Don't worry. I expect she's only had some trifling mishap.
Burst a tyre probably and is walking back."

St. John's look of acute anxiety relaxed a little.

"I hope so," he muttered, "I hope so."

A servant opened the door.

"The car's waiting, sir."

"Good." Barry strode into the hall, Mallory following him.

"Barry, I must go with you," he said hoarsely.

In the blaze of the electric light the two men looked hard into each
other's faces. Then Barry nodded.

"Right. I'll leave the chauffeur behind and drive myself. We must
have plenty of room at the back in case Nan's hurt." He paused, then
held out his hand. "I'm damned sorry, old man."

"I suppose Kitty told you?"

"Yes. She told me."

"I think I'm rather glad you know," said Peter simply.

Then, hurrying into their coats, the two men ran out to the car and a
moment later they were tearing along the road, their headlights blazing
like angry stars beneath the calm, sweet light of the moon overhead.

The old dame who kept the keys of the castle rose from her supper as
the honk, honk of a motor-horn broke on her startled ears. People
didn't come to visit the castle at this time of night! But the purr of
the engine outside her cottage, and the long beams of light flung
seawards by the headlights, brought her quickly to the door.

"We want a key--for the castle," shouted Barry, while to expedite
matters Peter sprang out of the car and went to the floor of the
cottage.

"The key!" he cried out.

She extended her hand, thinking he had brought one back.

"Ah, I knew I'd missed one," she said. She shook a lean forefinger at
him reprovingly: "So 'twas you run off with it! I'm obliged to you for
bringing it again, sir. I couldn't rightly remember whether 'twas a
young lady or gentleman who'd had it. There's so many comes for a key
and--"

"It was a lady. She's up there now, we think. And I want another key
t