"I have seen him," I said unthinkingly. "I saw him amongst the people at Salter Quick's inquest." The faintest shadow of an understanding glance passed between the two men, and Baxter's face grew stern. "Just so!" he remarked. "That makes it all the more necessary to repeat my question. Who are you--both?" "My name is Middlebrook, if you must know," I answered. "And I am not a resident of these parts--I am visiting here. As for this lady, she is Miss Raven, the niece of Mr. Francis Raven, of Ravensdene Court. And really--" He waved his hand as if to deprecate any remonstrance or threat on my part, and bowed as politely to my companion as if I had just given him a formal introduction to her. "No harm shall come to you, Miss Raven," he said, with evidently honest assurance. "None whatever!" "Nor to Mr. Middlebrook, either, I should hope!" exclaimed Miss Raven, almost indignantly. He smiled, showing a set of very white, strong teeth. "That depends on Mr. Middlebrook," he said. "If Mr. Middlebrook behaves like a good and reasonable boy--Mr. Middlebrook," he went on, interrupting himself and turning on me with a direct look, "a plain question? Are you armed?" "Armed!" I retorted scornfully. "Do you think I carry a revolver on an innocent country stroll?" "We do!" he answered with another smile. "You see, we don't know with whom we may meet. It was a million to one--perhaps more--against our meeting anybody this afternoon, yet--we've met you." "We are sorry to have interrupted you," I said, not without a touch of satirical meaning. "We won't interrupt any longer if you will permit us to say good-day." I motioned to Miss Raven to follow me, and made to move. But Baxter laughed a little and shook his head. "I'm not sure that we can allow that, just yet," he said. "It is unfortunate--I offer a thousand apologies to Miss Raven, but business is business, and--" "Do you mean to tell me that you intend to interfere with our movements, just because you chance to find us here?" I demanded. "If so--" "Don't let us quarrel or get excited," he said, with another wave of his hand. "I have said that no harm shall come to you--a little temporary inconvenience, perhaps, but--however, excuse me for a moment." He stepped back to his companion; together they began to whisper, occasionally glancing at us. "What does he mean?" murmured Miss Raven. "Do they want to keep us--here?" "I don't know what they intend," I said. "But--don't be afraid." "I'm not afraid," she answered. "Only--I've a pretty good idea of who it is that we've come across! And--so have you?" "Yes," I replied. "Unfortunately, I have. And--we're at their mercy. There's nothing for it but to obey, I think." Baxter suddenly turned back to us. It was clear that his mind was made up.