"Then you admit that it _is_ rather a queer place for you to be staying
in by yourself," he said slowly.

"No, I don't!" she protested eagerly. "But don't let's talk of
disagreeable things--I'm going to take you such a splendid drive!"

* * * * *

Chester never forgot that first day of his at Lacville. It was by far the
pleasantest day he spent there, and Sylvia Bailey, woman-like, managed
entirely to conceal from him that she was not as pleased with their
expedition as was her companion.

Thanks to M. Polperro's good offices, they managed to hire a really good
motor; and once clear of the fantastic little houses and the waste ground
which was all up for sale, how old-world and beautiful were the little
hamlets, the remote stretches of woodland and the quiet country towns
through which they sped!

On their way back, something said by Sylvia surprised and disturbed
Chester very much. She had meant to conceal the fact that she was riding
with Paul de Virieu each morning, but it is very difficult for one
accustomed always to tell the truth to use deceit. And suddenly a
careless word revealed to Chester that the horsewoman whose voice had
sounded so oddly familiar to him in the Forest that morning had really
been Sylvia herself!

He turned on her quickly: "Then do you ride every morning with this
Frenchman?" he asked quietly.