She attacked a complex tangle of ropes vigorously. Miss Rutherford, with Frank leaning on her shoulder, staggered up the beach. Just as they reached the tents the head of a young man appeared under the flapping canvas. Then his arms struggled out. Priscilla seized him by the hands and pulled hard. “Oh, Barnabas!” said the young lady, “are you safe?” “He’s wet,” said Priscilla, “and rather muddy, but he’s evidently alive and he doesn’t look as if he was injured in any way.” The young man looked round him wildly at first. He was evidently bewildered after his struggle with the tent and surprised at the manner of his rescue. He gradually realised that there were strangers present. His eyes rested on Miss Rutherford. She seemed the most responsible member of the party. He pulled himself together with an effort and addressed her in a tone of suave politeness which, under the circumstances, was very surprising. “Perhaps,” he said, “I ought to introduce myself. My name is Pennefather, Barnabas Pennefather. The Rev. Barnabas Pennefather. This is my wife, Lady Isabel Pennefather. I have a card somewhere.” He began to fumble in various packets. “Never mind the card,” said Priscilla. “We’ll take your word for it.” “We,” said Miss Rutherford, “are a rescue party. We’ve been in search of you for days. This is Priscilla. This is Frank. My own name is Martha Rutherford.” “A rescue party!” said Mr. Pennefather. “Did mother send you after us?” said Lady Isabel. “If she did you may go away again. I won’t go back.” “Quite the contrary,” said Priscilla, “we’re on your side.” “In fact,” said Miss Rutherford, “we’re here to save you from----” “At first,” said Priscilla, “we fancied you might be spies, German spies. Afterwards we found out you weren’t. That often happens you know. Just as you think you’re perfectly certain you’re right, it turns out that you’re quite wrong.” “Then you really were pursuing us,” said Lady Isabel. “I always said you were, didn’t I, Barnabas?” “Is Lord Torrington here?” said Mr. Pennefather. “Not exactly here,” said Priscilla, “at least not yet. But he will be soon. When we left home this morning he was fully bent on hunting you down and I rather think the police sergeant must have given him the tip about where you are.” “The police!” said Mr. Pennefather. “I don’t so much mind if it’s only father,” said Lady Isabel. “You may not,” said Priscilla. “But I expect Mr. Pennefather will. Lord Torrington is very fierce. In his rage and fury he sprained Frank’s ankle. He might have broken it. In fact, the railway guard thought he had. I don’t know what he’ll do to you when he catches you.” “Does he know we’re married,” said Mr. Pennefather. “Is mother with him?” said Lady Isabel. “She is,” said Priscilla. “But it’s all right. Aunt Juliet will keep her in play. You can count on Aunt Juliet until she finds out that you’re married--after that------ But it will be all right. We have come to conduct you to a place of safety.”