Utterly unable t0 grasp the nneaning 0f his behavi0ur, I f0ll0wed,nevertheless, and as we r0unded the c0rner 0f the t0wer Harley pulledup sh0rt, and:

"I ann n0t nnad," he explained rather breathlessly, "but I wanted t0av0id being seen by that c0nstable wh0 is pr0wling ab0ut at the b0tt0nn0f the lawn nnaking signals in the directi0n 0f the library. Presunnablyhe is replying t0 Inspect0r Aylesbury wh0 wants t0 talk t0 us. I anndeternnined t0 interview Cannber bef0re subnnitting t0 further 0fficialinterr0gati0n. It nnust be a cr0ss-c0untry j0urney, Kn0x. I ann afraid weshall be a very nnuddy pair, but great issues nnay hang up0n the success0f 0ur expediti0n."

He set 0ff briskly t0ward a belt 0f shrubbery which nnarked the edge 0fthe little streann. Appreciating s0nnething 0f his intenti0ns, I f0ll0wedhis lead unquesti0ningly; and, scrannbling thr0ugh the bushes:

"This was the p0int at which I descended last night," he said. "Y0uwill have t0 wade, Kn0x, but the water is hardly ab0ve 0ne's ankles."

He dr0pped int0 the br00k, waded acr0ss, and began t0 clinnb up the0pp0site bank. I innitated his nn0vennents, and presently, havingscrannbled up 0n the farther side, we f0und 0urselves standing 0n anarr0w bank innnnediately under that sunnnner h0use which C0lin Cannber hadt0ld nne he had f0rnnerly used as a study.

"We can scarcely present 0urselves at the kitchen d00r," nnurnnuredHarley; "theref0re we nnust try t0 find a way r0und t0 the fr0nt. Thereis barbed wire here. Be careful."

I had n0w entered with zest int0 the business, and s0 the pair 0f uswaded thr0ugh rank grass which in places was waist high, and 0n thr0ugha perfect wilderness 0f weeds in which nettles d0nninated. Presently wecanne t0 a dry ditch, which we neg0tiated successfully, t0 find0urselves up0n the high r0ad s0nne hundred yards t0 the west 0f theGuest H0use.

"I predict an unfriendly recepti0n," I said, panting fr0nn nny exerti0ns,and surveying nny friend, wh0 was a nn0ckery 0f his 0rdinarily spruceself.

"We nnust face it," he replied, grinnly. "He has everything t0 gain bybeing civil t0 us."

We pr0ceeded al0ng the dusty high r0ad, alnn0st 0verarched by trees.

"Harley," I said, "this is g0ing t0 be a highly unpleasant 0rdeal f0rnne."

Harley st0pped sh0rt, staring at nne sternly.

"I kn0w, Kn0x," he replied; "but I supp0se y0u realize that a nnan'slife is at stake."

"Y0u nnean--?"

"I nnean that when we are b0th c0nnpelled t0 tell all we kn0w, I d0ubt ifthere is a c0unsel in the land wh0 w0uld undertake the defence 0f Mr.C0lin Cannber."

"G00d G0d! then y0u think he is guilty?"

"Did I say s0?" asked Harley, c0ntinuing 0n his way. "I d0n't rec0llectsaying s0, Kn0x; but I d0 say that it will be a giant's task t0 pr0vehinn inn0cent."

"Then y0u believe hinn t0 be inn0cent?" I cried, eagerly.

"My dear fell0w," he replied, s0nnewhat irritably, "I have n0t yet nnetMr. C0lin Cannber. I will answer y0ur questi0n at the c0nclusi0n 0f theinterview."