"We'd better make inquiries at the cottage," said Duane briefly. So they hurriedly pedalled back to the little thatched cottage, and after some trouble succeeded in routing out an old woman with a sweet, quavering voice and some difficulty in hearing distinctly. However, when they had explained their errand, she was most eager and voluble in giving them information. Why yes, to be sure, a little lady on a bicycle had come to the door, maybe half an hour back, and asked if she were on the right road to Frattenton. The kindly old soul had invited her in to rest a minute by the fire and have a glass of milk, "for she had looked so tired-like, and 'twas a long pull along the Frattenton road." The offer had evidently been too much for Erica to resist, for she had left her bicycle outside and gone in. "And how long has she been gone?" interrupted Duane quickly. "A matter o' ten minutes or perhaps a quarter of an hour, I should say, miss," quavered the old lady. "And did you see which road she took?" "Why no, miss. I didn't go down to th' gate wi' she. You see, my rheumatics is that bad----" But Kitty and Duane, with a hurried thanks, were already outside the door and running down to their bikes. "Just missed her at the turn here, then," said Duane. "Jove, but it's getting thick!" "Better light up," said Kitty quietly, and they lit their lamps with fingers that trembled with impatience. "What luck for us those road-menders were there," said Kitty as they pedalled forward. "Or else we should have been nearly in Frattenton by now. Bother it, it's uphill again!" "And getting jolly rough too," added Duane, as she bumped violently over a big stone. The road was certainly getting rough. Presently great ruts appeared in it and the two cyclists had to go very warily. To add to their difficulties a thick, chill mist was settling over the downs in addition to the falling darkness. Soon it would be impossible to see many yards ahead, even with their lamps. "One thing," observed Kitty, "if our progress is slow, so is Erica's. She can't be very far ahead. In fact, I wonder she hasn't turned back by now, realizing that this can't be the main road." "I wonder if she has any lamps," said Duane uneasily. The next minute her front wheel ran into a rut; the bicycle skidded sharply and threw her off. Kitty dismounted. "Hurt?" she inquired. "Oh no," replied Duane with a laugh. "Came off on my feet all right. But I guess we'd better walk, and wheel our bikes. It'll be just as quick in this awful mist and darkness." The two girls pressed forward with dogged courage. They were neither of them timid or nervous, each had confidence in the other, and no doubt, but for the anxiety of Erica's safety, would have enjoyed it as a "real adventure." "Hallo! What's this?" Kitty came to an abrupt halt.