A hurried reconnaissance led to the discovery of a little farmhouse, and two minutes later I was making urgent representations to the owner of the barn. To our relief the latter proved sympathetic and obliging, and before we again took to the road the two-seater was safely under lock and key. "And now," said Miss Deriot, "how did it happen?" "The theft? I can't imagine. We left that fool who yelled at us in charge. I suppose he left her to get a drink or something. This is only the fourth time we've had her out," I added gloomily. "Oh, I say! Never mind. You're bound to get her again. Look at that meadow-sweet. Isn't it lovely? I wish I could paint. Can you?" "I painted a key-cupboard once. It was hung, too. Outside the stillroom." "Pity you didn't keep it up," said Miss Deriot. "It's a shame to waste talent like that. Isn't it just broiling? I should love a bathe now." "I hope you don't wear stockings in the water," said I. Miss Deriot glanced at her white ankles. "Is that a reflection?" she demanded. I shook my head. "By no manner of means. But there's a place for everything, isn't there? I mean----" We both laughed. "That's better," said my companion. "I couldn't bear to see you so worried this beautiful morning." "My dear," said I, "you've a nice kind heart, and I thank you." "Don't mention it," said Miss Deriot. From the crown of her broad-brimmed hat to the soles of her buckskin shoes she was the pink of daintiness. Health was springing in her fresh cheeks, eagerness danced in her eyes, energy leapt from her carriage. Had she been haughty, you would have labelled her "Diana," and have done with it; but her eyes were gentle, and there was a tenderness about her small mouth that must have pardoned Actaeon. A plain gold wrist-watch on a black silk strap was all her jewellery. "We'd better strike across the next field," said Miss Deriot. "There's a path that'll bring us out opposite _The Thatcher_. It'll save us about five minutes." "You might have been born here," said I. "I was," said Agatha. She nodded towards a beech wood that stood a furlong away. "The trees hide the house. But we left when I was seven, and only came back to the County five years ago. And here's our field." The five-barred gate was padlocked. I looked at my companion. "Shall I get over, advance ten paces, and gaze Into the middle distance? Or aren't you that sort?" Miss Deriot flung back her head and laughed. "I'd rather you gave me a leg up," she said. With a hand on my shoulder and a foot in my hand she was up and over in an instant. I vaulted after her. "You know," I said, "we ought to perform, you and I. With a painter's ladder, a slack wire, and a little practice, we should do wonders. On non-matinee days I might even lift you with my teeth. That always goes well, and no one would know you were as light as a rose-leaf." "Seven stone three in the bathroom," said Agatha. "Without stockings. Some rose-leaf."