He extended one hand behind him, and, recognising the uselessness of argument, Ann yielded and laid hers in it. Somehow she was not altogether sorry to feel that friendly, human grip. In single file they made the perilous return journey along the narrow track, emerging at length on to safe ground. Ann withdrew her hand with a sigh of relief. It was good to feel that they were out of danger at last. "I think we shall have to hurry if we are to catch our train," she said, keeping determinedly to the practical side of affairs. She felt she did not want to discuss their adventure. It was too vividly impressed upon her mind and had all too nearly ended in disaster. It seemed as though, the wings of Death had brushed her as he passed by. Tony pulled out his watch. "Eight, as usual," he replied. "We shall have to sprint. And I've done you out of your tea, too," he added remorsefully. "Oh, that!" Ann dismissed the matter with a rather uncertain little laugh. "You don't suppose I'm worrying about my tea, do you?" He looked at her curiously. "No, I don't suppose you are," he answered. They set off at a good pace, but they had wandered much further afield than they realised, and when at last the hotel, and the station which practically adjoined it, came into sight, the train was already drawn up at the platform, waiting to start. A shrill whistle cut the air warningly, and instinctively Ann and Tony broke into a run. Tony was the first to recognise the futility of the proceeding. He pulled up. "We may as well save our breath," he observed laconically. And even as he spoke the train, with a final shriek, moved out of the station. Ann stood still, her eyes following it with an expression of blank dismay. "Tony!" Her voice sounded a trifle breathless. "Do you know--have you realised--that that's the last train?" He nodded. "And we've missed it." He appeared completely unconcerned, and she turned on him with a flash of impatience. His inconsequence annoyed her. "Yes, we've missed it," she repeated. "How do you suppose we're going to get back without a train to take us?" Tony's soft, slate-coloured eyes surveyed her placidly beneath their long lashes. "I haven't the faintest idea," he acknowledged. "Tony!" In spite of her indignation a quiver underlay Ann's voice. Her nerves had been wrought up to a high pitch by the afternoon's events, and she felt unequal to parrying Tony's customary banter. Immediately his manner changed. When he spoke again it was with a quiet confidence that reassured her completely. "It's quite true," he said soberly. "I haven't an idea at the moment. But I'll get you safely back to Montricheux this evening somehow. I promise you, Ann. So don't worry."