"Active? I should think so! I seem to have seen more of them about to-day than I've ever seen. I thought it was the racing; but a chap I was talking to back there said there was something special up; he didn't quite know what it was, but he did know there was something. Like ferrets, the police are round here; I'd be sorry for anyone that they were after--they'd have him." CHAPTER XII HEADLINES They were entering the outskirts of a country town. The easy-going vehicles which characterise country towns occasionally took up more than their fair share of the road. The chauffeur reduced speed. "This is Timberham; slow as you can's the best game here--never know when you may run up against a peeler; seems to me they've nothing else to do except pounce on you if you're moving above a crawl; some of them would like to make out that you're doing twenty miles when you're hardly doing two." Suddenly the chauffeur spoke in a half whisper. "What did I tell you?" They had come along a narrow, winding street, where discreet driving was certainly a matter of necessity; it had suddenly widened out into a broad, open space, from which streets branched off in all directions. In the centre a constable was standing with a superior officer. At sight of the car the latter raised an authorative hand. "Now, what's he want?" growled the mechanic, under his breath. "Drat them fellers!" The officer approached. "You leave him to me," said Mr Frazer. "I'll talk to him. What is it, officer?" "Sorry to stop you, sir, but have you passed a caravan on the road?--a primrose-coloured van, with black stripes, and red wheels--something rather unusual in the way of vans; you could hardly help noticing it." "I'm afraid I haven't been paying much attention. Whereabouts would it be?" "Somewhere between here and Newcaster Heath. Which way did you come?" "We've come from the Heath. Why do you ask?" "Well--we're rather anxious to get news of that caravan." "Why?--been stolen?--or anything of that sort?" "No, it's not been stolen--no, nothing of that sort; only--there's someone with it with whom we should very much like to have a little conversation." There was a significant twinkle in the speaker's eyes. Mr Frazer smiled, as if with perfect comprehension. "In that case I hope it won't be long before your wish is gratified. There'll be plenty of people on that road to-day--I don't suppose I need tell you that it's race day--if it's anywhere about you ought to have news of it soon." "As I said, if anyone does see that caravan they can hardly help noticing it. Thank you, sir; sorry to have kept you waiting." Stepping on one side the officer saluted; the car went on. Until the town was left behind the chauffeur said nothing; but when they began to bowl along the open road beyond he smiled, with much meaning. "I saw that van he was asking about in the field which you came out of."