"Because, if Dr. Scott had not been able to get out, he would have been forced to remain; and if he had remained," said Joad, with another glance at the machine, "he might have saved you a journey to Canterbury." "How do you know that I am going to Canterbury?" "I guessed it. You wish to obtain from Scott the explanation which Julian refuses. As I said, it was unlucky Scott found this gate unlocked, else he might have made his explanation here." "You are a shrewd observer, Mr. Joad," was Dora's reply; "and I admit that you are right. I am going to see Dr. Scott, as you say." "It is a hot day, and a long journey. You will experience discomfort." "Probably I shall," said Dora, with a significant look. "Suppose you save me the journey, Mr. Joad, and explain this mystery yourself?" "To what mystery are you alluding, young lady?" asked Joad with childlike blandness. "To the mystery of Allen's sudden departure. You know the reason for it. I heard you say so myself to Edermont." "Mr. Edermont's secrets are not my secrets, and I do not betray my friends." "You are wonderfully scrupulous," said Miss Carew scornfully. "Well, I won't ask you to play the part of a traitor. Allen will tell me what I want to know." "I am afraid Allen will do no such thing, Miss Dora." "I have a right to know what bar there is to my marriage." "I agree with you there," replied Joad, putting the key in the lock of the gate. "All the same, Dr. Scott will keep his own counsel. But I'll tell you one thing, Miss Dora--Julian is right: you will never marry Allen Scott." "Who will stop the marriage?" asked Dora indignantly. "Scott himself. He will ask you to break the engagement." Dora looked at Joad with ineffable contempt, and wheeled the bicycle out on the dusty road. "I will never believe that until I hear it from his own lips," she said. And the next moment she was spinning at full speed towards Canterbury. Joad looked after her with a grim smile, and locked the gates with the greatest deliberation. Then he went up to the house, swinging the key on his finger and talking aloud. "This," said Joad, chuckling, "is the beginning of the end." CHAPTER IV. MORE MYSTERIES. If Dora was disappointed at failing to obtain explanations at Chillum, she was still more so at Canterbury. She ran the five miles under thirty minutes, and made sure she would be able to overtake Allen before he could escape her. There was a vague idea in her mind that, owing to what had been told him by Edermont--whatever it might be--he did not wish to submit himself to her questioning. This idea was confirmed by the discovery she made on reaching the tidy green-doored house near the Cathedral. Dr. Scott was not at home. "And to tell the truth, miss," said Mrs. Tice, a large, ample, motherly person, who had been Allen's nurse and was now his housekeeper, "the doctor has gone to London." "To London?" gasped Dora blankly, "and without letting me know?"