We had no opportunity of prosecuting our researches that day or the next. For "to-morrow" turned out an appallingly wet day--so drivingly rainy and wretched, that even Moore's ardour was damped, and he stayed indoors contentedly enough. I did not know how he was amusing himself, but he told me afterwards that he had been making a "plan" of Grimsthorpe House, or rather of its position and grounds so far as he had been able to get them into his head from his own observations and my descriptions. He had also made preparations for the adventure he was determined not to be balked of, in other ways. He stuffed his pockets with strong cord, an old geological hammer and chisel of Mr Wynyard's, which he had found in a drawer and taken possession of with Isabel's leave, a feather and small bottle of oil, and all the unused keys he could lay hands on, and, last not least, in spite of his contempt for my suggestion, a large piece of dog-biscuit, to be on the safe side in case of canine opposition to our visit. And the next afternoon I found myself "in" for it. There was no evasion of my promise even had I heartily wished to get out of it. It was not very early when we set off, as I had in the first place been for a drive with Isabel, the doctor having given leave for this as soon as the weather grew milder, and to-day had turned out peculiarly fine after the storms of yesterday. Moore was waiting for me when we came in. "I want Reggie to go a little walk with me," he said, half apologetically, to Isabel. "She wasn't out all yesterday, and she'll be getting too fat if she doesn't have exercise." Isabel laughed. At that stage in my career there seemed little likelihood of the danger he alluded to. For strong and wiry as I was, I was decidedly thin. "Don't be late for tea," she said, as we turned away; but Moore called back-- "Don't expect us till half-past five; it is more than four already. It doesn't matter about tea." "Speak for yourself," I said to him when we were out of hearing. "I do mind about tea, and I don't suppose you've got a private invitation from the Greys to have it with them." "Who knows!" said Moore jokingly. "Perhaps they'll fall in love with us at first sight and ask us to go in." Even though I knew he was joking, what he said startled me. I stopped short in the path and turned round, facing him. "Don't talk nonsense," I said warningly. "Who began it?" he replied. "I was only following up what you said." "Well, but seriously," I resumed. "I hope you are not in a wild humour, Moore, meaning to do anything reckless?" "Of course not," he said reassuringly. "To-day I _mean_ to do nothing whatever but spy the ground. But do let us walk faster. How far have we to go?" "Not above half a mile or so to where the wall begins," I replied. "And then, oh! it can't be above a few hundred yards to the place where the door is, only if we are to find it we must walk slowly when we get near there."