Anthony thanked him and turned away. “I’m afraid he’s a trifle disappointed in your choice of me as an investigator,” he murmured to Peter, “but perhaps in a few days I shall be able to rehabilitate myself in his good graces—or perhaps not—you never know, do you, Daventry?” “I’m rather hipped at having to stay behind,” responded the latter. Anthony caught his arm lightly and spoke in a low-toned voice. “You’re staying behind on special service. You’re on guard—and you must watch everybody without them having the ghost of an idea that you _are_ watching them. Particularly you must see that _nobody leaves this house on a journey to London without you follow him or her_. If that does occur, let me know at once—understand?” “Where shall I find you?” “Telephone Goodall at the ‘Yard’—he’ll put you in touch with me.” Peter nodded with understanding. Then an idea came to him. “You say ‘a journey to London.’ Why London? Supposing I find somebody leaving for Stow-on-the-Wold? Or Husband’s Bosworth?” He grinned in appreciation of his poser. Anthony stood still a moment and thought. “Everybody here must be watched by _you_,” he declared. “If anyone tries to leave here you must follow him and get the news through to me at once. You’ll find the destination will be London, though, should the contingency occur. It’s what the racing fraternity describe as a ‘stone-ginger.’” Peter indulged in a burlesque salute. “Very good, Sergeant. I’m your man!” Anthony shook him by the hand. “I know I can rely on you implicitly, Daventry—that’s why I feel safe in leaving you here—if you weren’t here I couldn’t undertake this journey to town, I don’t mind telling you that. I want to see Goodall, I want to put in a quiet hour or two at the British Museum, and I also desire to have a look at the hotel in Clifford Street. When you see me again I have high hopes that my case will be complete—good-bye, old chap.” “Shall I come down to the station with you?” asked Peter. “Better not, I think, in the circumstances—I shall feel easier in my mind to think that you will be here on the spot all the time. What I’m relying on you to prevent is the one thing that might cause my plans to miscarry. I’ll tell you one more thing that will make you realize how important your job is.” He bent forward and whispered in Peter’s ear. “The key to the secret is still in Assynton Lodge—I want it to stay there—get me?” Peter’s expression grew serious, although he felt more reconciled to staying behind now that he had a job of work to do. He whistled—the situation was a little clearer to him and more attractive of acceptance. He watched Anthony’s car purr down the drive, turn the corner and go over the crest of the hill. And he wondered when he would welcome him back. Arrived at Paddington, Anthony entered a public telephone box and was connected with Goodall.