“It would be too much trouble for you, miss,” said Jimmy O’Loughlin. “But of course, if the young lady’s doubtful about the way Moriarty might handle it, she’s right to go. It’s a good bicycle,” he added, “though I’d say that maybe the back tyre of it was a bit worn.” Miss Blow, accompanied by Moriarty, who looked extremely uncomfortable, left the room. Sergeant Farrelly and Constable Cole marched rapidly down the street towards the barrack. “I think, ladies,” said Lord Manton, “that Mr. Goddard and I will leave you for the present. We shall see you this evening again, so we need not say good-bye.” “That,” said Lord Manton to Mr. Goddard as they walked together across the deer park, “was a good stratagem. I don’t altogether envy Moriarty when it comes to its climax; but Cole certainly deserves promotion.” “I don’t see that it’s much use in reality,” said Mr. Goddard. “It’s only putting off the evil day, you know. When the sergeant comes back from Rosivera we’ll have the whole thing to do over again.” “You told him not to hurry, I hope,” said Lord Manton. “I told him to spend as long over the job as he possibly could. I told him not to be back before six this evening at the very earliest. But what’s the good of that? He’s bound to come back some time.” “Still, it’s always so much time gained. We may hear something of the missing men before then. You’ll telegraph all over the country, of course.” “I’ll go back at once,” said Mr. Goddard, “and take entire possession of the telegraph office.” “Come up and have some luncheon first. The afternoon will be time enough for the telegrams.” CHAPTER XX There are, as Patsy Devlin reminded Jimmy O’Loughlin on the occasion of Miss Blow’s first visit to Lord Manton, two ways of getting to the Castle from the village of Clonmore. There is the longer way by the great avenue which leads through the demesne and is remarkable for its fine rows of beech trees. By it all visitors who drive must go. They leave the public road a mile to the east of the village, having passed, supposing them to start from Jimmy O’Loughlin’s hotel, both the police barrack and the railway station. There is also the shorter way through the deer park, available only for foot passengers, because it is necessary in the first place to climb a boundary wall. The visitor who goes by this route, supposing once more that he starts from the hotel, leaves the village, and walks in a westerly direction until he comes to the spot where the wall is partially broken down and therefore easy to climb. He passes no building of any importance on his way, because the hotel is almost the last house at the west end of the village street. When luncheon was over Mr. Goddard spoke of going down to Clonmore to send off his telegrams. Lord Manton offered to order the dog-cart and have him driven down. Mr. Goddard refused.