"Do you know how long a minute is?" said Ranleigh, drawing out his
watch.

"Not exactly!" she admitted.

"Do you mind if I test you?"

"Not in the least."

"Then tell me when it is a minute...."

"Now?" said she.

"Fourteen seconds!" he smiled.

"Fourteen seconds!" she exclaimed incredulously "It's not possible."

"You're considerably above the average, Mrs. Winton. However, it depends
much on what you're doing at the moment. Last night when you were
watching, not estimating, you probably were nearer right as to the
interval. When, may I ask, did the driver reappear?"

"He didn't reappear--at least that I saw; he may have come out of the
house while I dozed."

"Might not the man that you saw last have been he?"

"I'm perfectly sure it wasn't. The driver was medium-sized and stout,
this man was tall and slender. I couldn't have been mistaken."