"Well, it is probable that I should," admitted the sergeant, reluctantly. "After all, things look black against you and against Mr. Craver here." "Of course. And that is the dashed reason why we held our tongues." Purse, after reflection, made no answer to this, and rose to intimate that the conference was at an end. "The next thing to be done is to find this old woman," said the sergeant. "Wait a moment," said Lemby, rising. "How do we stand?" "Where you were," said Purse, gruffly. "I don't intend to have you arrested, if you mean that. But until this business is cleared up by the arrest of Mrs. Vence, I'll keep an eye on you." "That is only reasonable," said Edwin, readily. "However, I beg one boon of you, sergeant. Don t let my father or my mother know anything about what we have told you." "If Mrs. Vence is arrested, the whole story must come out, sir." "Then wait until you do arrest the woman. But until Mr. Lemby and I are free from danger, I don't wish my parents to know." "Fair enough," growled the sergeant "I'll hold my tongue. Now come along. She can't have gone far, and we'll soon lay hands on her. The old wretch, to cheat me so! Hang her! She has pulled the wool over my eyes." There was no doubt of this. Mrs. Vence had proved too clever for Purse at the inquest, and it seemed as though she would again escape him. All that afternoon search was made throughout Hedgerton, but without success. The servants at Maranatha stated that Mrs. Vence had left the house hours ago and had not returned. An inquiry at Mrs. Mellin's cottage showed that the old woman had not been there. Various people, questioned by the police, stated that they had seen the housekeeper wandering about the esplanade, and a coastguard remembered to have noticed her on the cliffs. These were searched, the beach was examined, the woods round Hedgerton were explored, and the village itself was beaten for the fugitive, but all unsuccessfully. It seemed as though Mrs. Vence had taken wings to herself and had flown away. Yet it seemed ridiculous to think that so old and so infirm a woman could escape so easily. By the time it was four o'clock the sergeant was furious at being made to look such a fool. But swearing did not help him. Mrs. Vence had vanished, and was nowhere to be found. "Well," said Purse, when he came across Edwin and Claudia at the barn, whither they had gone to look at the aeroplane, "what's to be done now?" "You can't find her?" said Miss Lemby, anxiously. "No. You know the old wretch by sight. See here, take this police whistle, and if you spot her, blow for all you are worth." "But I am not likely to see her," protested Claudia. "If a clever man like you can't find her, how do you expect me to?"