He himself was keenly alert to whatever might be going to happen. It seemed to him, from the chauffeur's action, that they were to be invited, or Peggie was to be invited, to enter the car. Very good--but he was going to know who was in that car before any communications of any sort were entered upon. Also, Peggie was not going to exchange one word with anybody, go one step with anybody, unless he remained in close attendance upon her. The phraseology of the mysterious note; the clandestine fashion in which it had been brought under Peggie's notice; the extraordinary method adopted of procuring an interview with her--all these things had aroused Selwood's suspicions, and his natural sense of caution was at its full stretch as he walked across to the car, wondering what he and Peggie were about to confront. What they did confront was a pleasant-faced, white-haired, elderly lady, evidently a woman of fashion and of culture, who bent forward from her seat with a kindly, half-apologetic smile. "Miss Wynne?" she said inquiringly. "How do you do? And this gentleman is, no doubt, Mr. Selwood, of whom I have heard? You must forgive this strange conduct, this extraordinary manner of getting speech with you--I am not a free agent. Now, as I have something to say--will you both come into the car and hear it?" Peggie, who was greatly surprised at this reception, turned diffidently to her companion. And Selwood, who had been gazing earnestly at the elderly lady's face, and had seen nothing but good intention in it, felt himself considerably embarrassed. "I--well, really, this is such a very strange affair altogether that I don't know what we ought to do," he said. "May I suggest that if you wish to talk to Miss Wynne, we should go to her house? It's only just round the corner, and----" "But that's just what I am not to do," replied the lady, with an amused laugh. "I repeat--I am not exactly a free agent. It's all very strange, and very unpleasant, and sounds, no doubt, very mysterious, but I am acting--practically--under orders. Let me suggest something--will you and Miss Wynne come into the car, and I will tell the man to drive gently about until you have heard what I have to say? Come now!--I am not going to kidnap you, and you can't come to much harm by driving round about Portman Square for a few minutes, in the company of an old woman! Dickerson," she went on, as Selwood motioned Peggie to enter the car, "drive us very slowly round about here until I tell you to stop--go round the square--anywhere." The car moved gently up Baker Street, and Selwood glanced inquiringly at their captor. "May we have the pleasure of----" The elderly lady brought out a card-case and some papers.