“We thought you’d be surprised,” he was saying, “but I didn’t think it’d take you like this.  After all, there’s nothing uncanny about it.”

“But I don’t understand——­”

“Listen.  Will Noggin was sitting in the car when he heard a crash, and there was a fellow lying in the middle of the road, about fifty yards away, with a push-bike beside him.  Naturally Will jumped out and ran to his help.  The man seemed to be having a fit, and Will was just loosening his collar, when he heard the engine start and saw the Rolls moving.  He left the chap in the road and ran like mad, but he was too late.  Nobody ever saw the fellow with the push-bike again.  Of course he was one of the gang, and his fall was a put-up job to get Will out of the way.  Pretty smart—­what?

“Well, you hadn’t been gone five minutes when Fitch arrived on his motor-bike.  He’d come to bring us a can of petrol, for after we’d left he remembered the tank was almost empty.

“That gave me a bit of hope.  If they stuck to the main road you were pretty well bound to catch them, for Fitch swore they’d never get five miles.  But, of course, they might turn off.  So I thought the rest of us had better follow and search the by-roads for all we were worth.  So I sat on Fitch’s carrier with the can under one arm, and Daphne commandeered the curate’s push-bike and sent Berry after us.”

“Isn’t he back yet?” said I, looking round.

“Not yet,” said Jonah, with a grin.

“And doesn’t he know she’s found?”

“That pleasure is still awaiting him.  Well, Fitch was right.  We left the Bloodstock road for the second time at Dew Thicket, and at the foot of the hill there she was, dry as a bone, but as right as rain.”

“Abandoned?”

“Apparently.  Any way, there was no one in sight.  I sent Fitch after you and drove her home.  Fitch had a burst directly he’d left me, and had to walk back to Bilberry.”

“Is that all?” said I.

“Well, it’s enough, isn’t it?”

“Not nearly,” said I, rising to my feet.  “Kindly accompany me to the stables.”

“What d’you mean, Boy?” cried Jill.

“’Sh!” said I.  “Come and see.”

In silence I led the way, Agatha treading solemnly by my side.  As we turned under the archway that led to the stable-yard—­

“You see,” I said carelessly, “we, too, have met with some success.”

The Rolls was standing where I had left her, waiting to be backed into the garage.

My sister gave a cry and caught at Jonah’s arm.  Jonah started violently and smothered an exclamation.  Jill put one hand to her eyes, as if to brush away a vision.

There was a long silence.

At length I turned to Jonah.

“I fear that you were hasty, brother.  A moment’s reflection will show you that you and Fitch have spoiled some poor car-owner’s day.  Let me suggest that you return your ill-gotten gains to the foot of the hill beyond Dew Thicket without delay.  As a matter of fact, I know the police are very concerned about this theft.  It was the fourth in this district this morning.”