“I thought I was behaving.  I’m willing to play the part properly if I know the part, but I don’t know it.  Your intimations have been indefinite.”

“There’s been no time for any other sort.  When Mrs. Swink learns that Madeleine and Tom have run away she will begin to ask where, and somebody will certainly suggest Claxon.”

“Then why go to Claxon?”

“They’re not going to Claxon.  We are going there.  Just this side is a little station at which they can take a local for Shelby.  They will change at this station and go to Shelby while we keep on to Claxon and get off there.”

“But last night you insisted on their going to Claxon.”  Selwyn’s voice implied that a woman’s methods of management were beyond a man’s understanding.

“Inquiries will be made as to who bought tickets for Claxon.  Mrs. Swink will have the whole police department running around for clues and things.  I told you not to buy tickets.  Did you?”

“I did not.  I’m taking orders and doing what I’m told, but, being new at it, I don’t work as smoothly as I might.  Is there any special reason why I shouldn’t have bought tickets?”

“There is.”  I opened my pocket-book, and, taking out a note, handed it to him.  “I’ll take breakfast with you but I’ll have to pay my railroad fare.  I didn’t want you to get tickets, because if two couples bought them it would cause confusion and telegrams might be sent to Shelby also.  I didn’t have time to think it all out last night.  I only knew Tom and Madeleine must seemingly go to Claxon and yet not go.  I wasn’t sure what could be done, but after you decided to come I thought we could play the part and give them time to be married at Shelby.”

“You mean you and I are to pretend we are somebody else, mean—­”

Selwyn’s voice was protestingly puzzled.  Impersonation did not appeal.

“There’ll be no necessity to pretend.  If a sheriff, with orders to do so, takes charge of us he will hardly believe our assertion that we are not the parties wanted.  He’s used to that.  All we will have to do is to wait until Tom and Madeleine come back.  When they show as proper a marriage certificate as a dairy-maid and farmer-laddie ever framed he will let us go.  You don’t look as if playing groom to my bride pleases you.  I’m sorry, but—­”

Into Selwyn’s eyes came that which made me turn mine away and look out of the window.  Unthinkingly I had invited what he was going to say.  “Playing groom does not interest me.  Why play?  And stop looking out of the window.”  He changed his seat and took the one beside me.  “Look at me, Danny.  Why can’t we be married at Claxon?  We’ll wait for those children to come back and then—­”