It really was an impossible situation. Hugo could not go about asking porters and people for a lost child, or the neighbourhood would be roused. He couldn't go back to Wren's End without Tony, or there would be the devil to pay. He even got a porter to look in every carriage of the side-tracked train for a mythical despatch-case, and accompanied him in his search. Naturally they didn't seek a despatch-case in the van. He had lost his train, but there was another, very slow, about three-quarters of an hour later, and this he decided to take. He would telegraph to Jan from London. Somehow he was not in the least concerned about the fate of Tony. Peter and Peter's car had something to do with this mysterious disappearance. He was sure of that. Well, if this particular deal had failed, he must shuffle the cards and deal again. In any case Jan should see that where his children were concerned he was not to be trifled with. He was sorry, though, he had bought the half-ticket for Tony, and to ask them to take it back might cause comment. As the slow train steamed out from the junction Hugo felt a very ill-used man. * * * * * At eleven o'clock Anne Chitt brought in the tray with two cups of milk and a plate of Hannah's excellent scones. "Please go into the kitchen garden and ask Master Tony to come for his lunch," Jan said. Presently Anne returned. "Master Tony ain't in the garden, miss; and 'Annah says as 'e most likely ain't back yet, miss." "Back! Back from where?" "Please, miss, 'Annah says as 'is pa've took him with him down the village." Jan laid her sewing on the table and got up. "Is Earley in the garden?" "Yes, miss. I ast Earley an' 'e says the same as 'Annah. Mr. Tancred 'ave took Master Tony with 'im." Anne went away, and Jan and Meg, who had stopped her machining to listen, stared at each other across the table. "I suppose they'll be back directly," Jan said uneasily. "I'll go and ask Earley when Hugo took Tony." "He got up to breakfast to-day for the first time," Meg remarked irrelevantly. Jan went out into the Wrens' garden and through Anthony's gate. She fumbled at the catch, for her hands trembled. Earley was picking peas. "What time did Mr. Tancred take Master Tony?" she asked. "Just as we got back from fetchin' the cream, miss. I should say as it was about 'alf-past nine. He did meet us at the lodge, and took the young gentleman with 'im for company--'e said so." "Thank you, Earley," Jan said quietly. Earley looked at her and over his broad, good-natured face there passed a shade of misgiving. "I did tell Hannah to let you know the minute I cum in, miss." "Thank you," Jan said again; "that's quite right." "Be you feelin' the 'eat, miss?" Earley asked anxiously. "I don't think as you ought to be out without an 'at." "No, I expect not. I'll go and get one."