"Oh, yes, Major. It isn't that kind of a smile. I have just discovered that four and four make eight when you add them up properly; and the smile is one of consequent satisfaction. A last question, please. At what time in the morning was Farrow found lying unconscious upon the moor?"
"Somewhere between six and seven o'clock. Why?"----
"Oh, nothing in particular. Who found him? Captain MacTavish?"
"No. Maggie McFarland. She was just coming back from milking when----Hang it, man! I wish you wouldn't smile all up one side of your face in that confounded manner. It makes me think that you must have something up your sleeve."
"Well, if I have, Major, suppose you drive me over to the stables and give me a chance to take it out?" suggested Cleek, serenely. "A little 'poking about' sometimes does wonders, and a half hour in Highland Lassie's quarters may pick the puzzle to pieces a great deal sooner than you'd believe. Or, stop! Perhaps, on second thought, it will be better for you and her ladyship to go on ahead, as I shall want to have a look at Tom Farrow's injuries as well, so it will be best to have everything prepared in advance, in order to save time. No doubt Mr. Narkom and I can get a conveyance of some sort here. At any rate--h'm! it is now a quarter to three, I see--at any rate, you may certainly expect us at quarter-past five. You and her ladyship may go back quite openly, Major. There will be no need to attempt to throw dust in Sir Gregory Dawson-Blake's eyes any longer by keeping the disappearance of the animal a secret. If he's had a hand in her spiriting away, he knows, of course, that she's gone; but if he hasn't--oh, well, I fancy I know who did, and that she will be in the running on Derby Day after all. A few minutes in Highland Lassie's stable will settle that, I feel sure. Your ladyship, my compliments. Major, good afternoon. I hope if night overtakes us before we get at the bottom of the thing you can manage to put us up at the Abbey until to-morrow that we may be on the spot to the last?"
"With pleasure, Mr. Cleek," said Lady Mary; and bowed him out of the room.
It was precisely ten minutes past five o'clock and the long-lingering May twilight was but just beginning to gather when the spring cart of the Rose and Thistle arrived at the Abbey stables, and Cleek and Mr. Narkom descending therefrom found themselves the centre of an interested group composed of the major and Lady Mary, the countryside doctor, and Captain MacTavish.