"Yes," said Winter, meeting the other's glance squarely. "We have no
reason on earth to doubt the truth of anything you have said, or may
say, with regard to this inquiry. The car is not ours. This is the
first we have heard of it. We accepted your word, Mr. Theydon, that
you were dining with a friend. Perhaps you will tell us now what his
name is and where he lives."

Theydon hesitated the fraction of a second. That, he knew instantly,
was a blunder, so he proceeded to rectify it.

"I was dining with Mr. James Creighton Forbes, of No. 11, Fortescue
Square," be said. "Probably you are acquainted with his name, so you
will realize that if my evidence proves of the slightest value I would
not like any reference to be made to the fact that I was his guest
tonight."

"I don't see how that can possibly enter into the matter, except in
its bearing on this mysterious car."

Though Winter was taking the lead, Theydon was aware that Furneaux,
who had given him scant attention hitherto, was now looking at him
fixedly. He imagined that the queer little man was all agog to learn
something about the automobile which had thrust itself so abruptly
into the affair.

"Exactly," he agreed. "I visited Mr. Forbes tonight for the first
time. We are mutually interested in aviation. That is why I went to
Brooklands today, and the invitation to dinner was the outcome of a
letter of introduction given me by Professor Scarth."