in tears.

"Do you think he realised you were hidden there?"

"Vases don't tumble over by themselves, mother dear, and our friend is
not a fool." He tapped his teeth with a thumb nail reflectively.
"Yes--yes--yes. We must curtail his activities. Can't have the old
viper sending messages. Settle down at the telephone, best of mothers."

"I do wish you would not address me as though I were a sitting hen,"
said Mrs. Barraclough, drawing up a chair to the writing table.

"The telephone, mother, and ask for the police station."

"But the policeman is sure to be out."

"Then talk to his missus."

"That would be impossible, dear, Mrs. Brassbound----"

But Anthony did not listen to the objection.

"Tell old Brassbound," said he, "to run in friend Skypilot if he
gravitates near the post office."

Mrs. Barraclough picked up the receiver and asked for the police
station and while waiting to be connected remarked weakly:

"There is no law to prevent people sending telegrams, dear."

"Then we must make a few to fit the occasion."

"Is that you, Mr. Brassbound?" said the old lady in answer to a voice
on the wire. "It's Mrs. Barraclough speaking. I wonder if you would
very kindly arrest a clergyman for me."

"Put a bit more sting in it, mother--ginger."

"Ginger," repeated Mrs. Barraclough into the mouthpiece. "No, no, I
didn't mean that. He's grey and elderly."

"Say he pinched something," Anthony prompted.

Mrs. Barraclough nodded.

"I rather fear he has appropriated a cream jug. Yes. I thought
perhaps he might send it off from the post office. Thank you. And how
is your wife progressing? Yes, of course she is. Yes, I am coming
down to see her this evening if I can get away. Goodbye."

"What's wrong with the policeman's missus?" demanded Anthony.

"As you're not a married man, Tony, I shall refuse to tell you," said
Mrs. Barraclough in the manner of Queen Victoria.

"Going to see her?"

"I was going to take her this basket of roses and some vegetables, but
as----"

"No, no, you take 'em and I'll go down to the village with you in the
car and take it on. You won't mind walking home across the fields."

"Anthony," said Mrs. Barraclough seriously. "Is it very real danger
you're in?"

"Pretty solid but don't you fret, I'm equal to it."

Flora and Jane came in from the garden.

"We've seen him down the road," they announced.

"Good. Now, look here, everyone, I've wasted a deuce of a lo