The subject had been discussed at lunch with special reference to
Margot, as the only lady of the party; but, as she aptly observed, she
was bound to get back somehow, and, as a choice of evils, preferred to
walk through rain, rather than sit still to be soaked through and
through on the seat of the wagonette. It was therefore decided to make
an early start, and allow no loitering by the way; but when the village
had been left about a mile behind an unexpected delay occurred. The
Chieftain thrust his hands into his pockets, and stopped short in the
middle of the road, with an expression of dismay.
"Eh, what! Here's a fine kettle of fish! Where's my bunch of keys?
They were here as safe as houses, a few minutes back. I was jingling
tunes on them as we passed the school. You heard me jingling 'em!
Dropped them on the road, I suppose, and walked on like a blind bat.
Serves me right to have to turn back to find 'em. Can't lose my keys,
you know. Got to find them somehow, or there'll be the mischief to pay.
You'll have to go on, George, and take Miss Vane with you. There's no
time for conundrums, if you want to get home dry." He looked towards
Ron with questioning eyebrows. "Feel inclined to keep me company? I
don't fancy that walk by my lonesome."
"Of course I do. I should not think of leaving you behind by yourself,
sir," returned Ron eagerly. "We can't have far to go, and we can soon
catch up the others, if we make a sprint for it. Go on, Margot. We'll
be after you in no time."
In the circumstances there was nothing else to be done, nor indeed,
after a long morning spent in wandering about as a party, was Margot
inclined to quarrel with the fate which provided an interesting tete-a-
tete for the walk home. She contented herself with expressing profuse
sympathy for the Chieftain's loss, and with prophesying cheerfully that
the keys were certain to be found, then promptly dismissed the subject
from her mind, and gave herself up to the enjoyment of the moment.
"I really think we are wise not to wait about," George Elgood said, in
accents of self-vindication, as they moved on together. "The glass is
high, but I don't like the look of things, all the same, and for your
sake shall be glad when we are nearer home. Are you pretty warmly
dressed, if the rain should come on?"