"That him--he's my husband, he is--I thought he came this way, he said he wouldn't be gone more than five minutes, but he's been gone a good deal more than an hour--I can't make out what he's up to, because he knows we're in a hurry. Did you notice which way he was going?" "I rather think he was going over there." He motioned with his whip towards the horizon on his right. "Was he? That's very nice of him, I don't think, as he knows very well I'm over here. I should like to know what he's thinking of. If you come across him, mister, I wish you'd ask him if he's Ben Hitchings; and if he says he is you tell him that I've had about enough of waiting, and that I've gone on to the course, and if he wants me he'd better come and look for me there--see?" "Yes, madam, I think I see; and if I do come across Mr Hitchings I'll make a point of giving him your message." Mr Frazer gave a jerk to the reins; the horse moved; the caravan was off. CHAPTER XI DANGER AHEAD They had got on to the road, and the hollow was already left some little distance behind, when the window over the driver's seat was opened, and Dorothy asked a question. "Which way did he really go--that young man in the red shirt?" "Frankly, between ourselves, I don't believe he went very far from the spot at which he introduced himself to us--the young scamp!" "He can't be so very young if he has a wife." "Gentlemen in his class of life marry while they're in their teens; and the ladies, some of them, apparently as soon as they're out of their cradles. How's that hat?" "Thank you, it's--it's very nice. It's odd, if he didn't go far from where we were, that she shouldn't have seen him." "Perhaps the young gentleman is lying low. I say. This establishment of mine doesn't need much driving. I can do all the driving that's required standing up; and if I were to stand up I could see inside that window, and be able to judge for myself what that hat really does look like. Do you think I might?" "You--you can stand up if you like; only--take care of the horse. "The horse will take care of us--never fear; she's a remarkable animal, this mare of mine." His face appeared on one side of the window, and the girl's on the other. "I say. I had a sort of feeling that that hat would suit you, but I never guessed it would suit you quite so well as that." "Do you--do you think it does suit me--really?" "If you were to ransack all Newcaster I doubt if you'd find another which, artistically, would be such a success." "I am glad you like it; it was very good of you to buy it." There was a pause; then she added: "Would you mind sitting down again, so that I might see the country--it seems to be rather pretty." He glanced at her out of the corners of his eyes, whimsically. "It is rather pleasant hereabouts--am I so much in your way? Can't you see the country with me here?" Her answer was decisive: