He looked startled. 'What's the matter?'

Gerry made her eyes big. 'Do 'ee be gonna stay at the big 'ouse? Sleep there? Cor, mister, Oi wouldn't like to be 'ee. Nor 'ee, missus.'

The woman glared at her. 'Miss.'

Gilbert said sharply, 'What on earth do you mean?'

Gerry looked furtively over her shoulder, stepped right up to the car again and whispered, 'Things 'appen at big 'ouse.'

'What are you talking about? What sort of things?'

'Moighty queer things. They d'yu say folks bain't never the soime again arter a noight at the big 'ouse. Those that leaves at all, that is.'

'I've never heard such utter balderdash!'

Gerry shrugged. 'All roight, mister, 'ave it your way. Only don't say 'ee ain't been warned.'

'Just tell me how to get there.'

At last Gerry told him. He gave a curt nod and thrust the car into gear again.

'One more word, mister,' Gerry said.

He glared at her. 'Well?'

'D'yu 'ee watch out for that there Lady Geraldine.'

'Watch out? What the deuce are you talking about, girl?'

'That's all I be gonna say. Just 'ee be careful, that's all.'

And Gerry turned away and went on with her polishing. Behind her she heard Gilbert give an exclamation of disgust and the car drive quickly away.

A few seconds later Hugh reappeared. 'All set?' she asked.

He nodded, 'They'll pick it up straight away.' He pointed after the disappearing Austin. 'Who was that?'

'A very remarkable man.'

'Oh? In what way?'

'He's even ruder than you are.'

In the Austin, Gilbert said, 'What a very odd young woman.'

Maude Fry said, 'And remarkably well-dressed for a garage hand.'

'Was she? I didn't notice. Probably her father's a smuggler.'

'Thirty miles from the sea?'

'Well, a coiner, or whatever branch of villainy is the most popular down here. What did you make of all that rigmarole?'

'About the big house? Bad hats in every old family. Legends grow up around them. Don't die out for generations.'

'I was really thinking of what she said about Lady Geraldine. Do you suppose she's insane, or something? Dabbles in black magic? Takes drugs?'

'I would guess nothing so dramatic. Probably she's just a maneater - one of those depraved young women one reads about, around whom no male is safe.'

'I see.' Gilbert nodded slowly. 'Yes. That's quite possible.' He unconsciously raised a hand and patted his hair. 'I wonder if you're right. It'll be interesting to find out, won't it?'

Maude Fry sniffed.


Chapter Five

Arlington Gilbert and Maude Fry arrived at the house fifteen minutes later. Merryweather conducted them to the morning room. But before he could announce them, Gilbert marched past him into the room. Rather more slowly, Maude Fry followed him.

Just inside the door, Gilbert paused and stared round appraisingly. 'Yes,' he said with a decisive nod, 'this would be ideal for the proposal scene. Though all this Regency stuff will have to go.