"Nay, that 'e wur not, Jane," declared Mrs. Crumpet. "I'm a-tellin' on ye, sitha'. Mr. Norton 'e meant to come back, for the whisky was on th' table." "Methinks he looks to my employer for his nightcap," remarked Mrs. Carter with asperity. "An' I was so overcome like," continued Sarah ignoring the insinuation, "that I simply 'ad to 'ave a drop-the first time I ever 'ad a chance up yonder." "'As 'e paid thee thy brass?" enquired the sympathetic Mrs. Carter. "Ay, that 'e did, thanks be. But it seems most strange-like, this business." "I'll tell th' master," asserted Mrs. Carter as the other woman walked away. "An' sitha', if you're feelin' out o' sorts again, Mrs. Crumpet, now's your chance afore the bottle's locked up." With this parting injunction the "help" of Ladybird Fold shut the door and made her way to the study. "Yes, I know," said Mr. Barcroft when the Little Liver Pill had duly reported the absence of Mr. Norton. "He was here last night and left in a hurry before I returned; I'll stroll across in the course of the forenoon. Ah, good morning, Entwistle; how's that foot?" "Better, thanks," replied his guest. "Gives me a bit of a twinge when I set it to ground. Well, what's the morning's news?" "Papers not in yet, not that I expect any enlightenment on the subject of the raid in the Press report. There are all sorts of rumours flying about, as is to be expected. But it will be all right some day--when we tackle the business properly. These Zeps. will come once too often. It's a mystery to me that they haven't summed up the results and come to the conclusion that these haphazard raids aren't worth the candle." "Unless it is to divert the attention of the German people from the Western Front," remarked Entwistle. "Quite possible," agreed Peter. "Now to breakfast. I'm sorry your car couldn't come to fetch you--not that I want to lose you exactly, although I have a batch of proofs in hand," he added bluntly. "You understand? Billy will drive you into Barborough." "And what do you think of the measures taken to combat the Zeppelin menace?" enquired Entwistle addressing himself to Billy. The flight-sub shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot venture an opinion," he replied. "Both branches of the Air Service are doing their level best--they cannot do more." "You won't be able to draw Billy, Entwistle," added his parent with a laugh. "Even I cannot get him to talk shop." "Pity some military men I know aren't like him," said the vet. "Nowadays it's either too much shop or too much official reticence. The middle path seems to have been lost sight of. But any more of the mystery of your friend Andrew Norton? I couldn't help hearing your housekeeper holding forth just now."