She said she had, and asked if he had read about the Zeppelin raid. "We were just talking about it," he replied. Spatts went inside, leaving them together. "The man's a fool," said Carl, jerking his head in the direction of the landlord. "Is he? What were you laughing at?" asked Jane. "He said he thought it probable somebody in a motor car guided the airships," said Carl. "And you think that is not correct?" "Of course it isn't; how could they do it? I soon proved to him it was not possible, and it was then he laughed at the absurdity of the idea." "You told me you had the car repaired at ----," she said. "Well?" "You told him you did the repairs yourself, in a lonely part of the country." "Don't be a fool, Jane. I don't wish everybody to know where I have been." "You were at ----?" "Yes." "Did you see the airship over there?" "I saw something hovering in the air but of course I never dreamed it was one of those things." "And you heard no bombs explode?" He laughed as he replied: "Not likely. I should hardly wait for that." She was not satisfied. When they started on their journey the landlord said: "I hope you will not have another breakdown, Mr. Meason." "No fear of that. I've patched it up well; it will carry us to our destination." "Where's that?" "Beyond York," said Carl. "Inquisitive beggar," he said to Jane when the car was away. "We are not going to York?" she asked. "No, you asked to go to London; we'll get there to-night," he said. "Then why did you tell him we were going to York?" "Because it suited my purpose," he replied. CHAPTER XXII JANE SUSPECTS The journey to London was accomplished without mishap. Carl was a good driver; the car sped along at a rapid pace. Jane enjoyed the ride; the scenery was new to her, and she was observant. Arriving at the city he drove to the Fairfax Hotel, a quiet place mostly used by families. There was no garage. Leaving Jane there, he went to put up the car. She waited for him. He seemed a long time coming. She did not care to leave the room in his absence. At last he came. He made no apology for being away so long; he seemed preoccupied and said little. They dined together, and then he took her out. The streets were dull and dark, very few lights in the shops, hardly any in the streets. The noise and bustle confused her. "There's not much to see at night," he said; "we'll have a look round to-morrow." "What's that?" she asked in alarm. "A searchlight," he replied laughing. "There's any amount of them but they don't appear to be of much service." "What are they used for?" "To discover the whereabouts of Zeppelins." "It can't be very safe here?" "It's safe enough; they won't drop bombs near where we are staying." "How do you know?" "Oh well, it's not likely; they'll go for something more important than the Fairfax Hotel," he replied.