"Did you? That shows that you've the faculty of observation--odd how many people are without it." "And as it was in the same field in which you were you must have seen it too; in fact, you couldn't help it." "I never said I hadn't." The chauffeur considered this statement. "No, I suppose you didn't, if it comes to that--very artful the way you put him off. He thought you said you hadn't seen it." "Some of those policemen do think at times." When he had duly pondered this cryptic saying the chauffeur chuckled. "I can see that you're a deep one." "I am not sure that I quite deserve that compliment. What are we doing now? Thirty? At this rate we ought to be in Ashington in under half-an-hour." "We're doing all of thirty--we ought to be in Ashington in less than twenty minutes. That peeler was looking for you." "Short-sighted mortal--surely I was near enough for him to see me." "What have you been doing? I hope it's nothing--you know; I don't want to be mixed up with anything fishy." "I assure you there's nothing fishy about me. It is not only you gentlemen who drive motor cars who have differences with the police; lesser folk have them also--especially when there's a lady in the case, and a stony-hearted guardian." "A lady is it? Ah!--I might have thought of that--now I see what the caravan was for--and she sitting behind there all the time saying nothing. Well, you're a couple of cool ones. But when there's a lady about you never know what's about. Not long ago one of my governor's daughters ran off with a young chap what was a riding master. Wasn't there a rumpus! Every policeman in the county was looking out for them--but they were married before they got them--and she only turned seventeen; sandy hair she had." "It's a dangerous age, seventeen." "Where a woman's concerned all ages are dangerous." "That's true. I perceive that you also are a deep one." "When you've got to drive a motor car, and keep her properly tuned up, you've got to be about all there. By the way, would you mind giving me ten sovereigns instead of those two fivers?" The change of subject was rather sudden; Mr Frazer glanced round, as if a trifle startled. "With pleasure--if I have them. But what's wrong with the notes?" "There's nothing wrong with them--as notes; I know that well enough, only--their numbers might be known, and, if they're traced, it wouldn't suit me to be asked how they came to be in my possession--not by a long chalk." "I catch your meaning--you're a far-sighted man. However, I give you my word that the numbers of those notes are not known, in the sense you mean--thanking you very much for the insinuation." "I daresay; still--I'd rather have the sovereigns. I sha'n't forget how artful you were in putting that peeler off the scent. Whereabouts in Ashington do you want me to put you down?" "I don't care, so long as it is in Ashington. Aren't we nearly there?"