"We don't, as a rule, separate when we have a journey to make," I said.
"However, in this case the circumstances are a little exceptional. If
you will take Miss Mindel and Mr. Cotton, I dare say I can manage to get
up somehow."
"We can't leave you, Maurice," Rose protested.
"So far as I am concerned, I am afraid it must be so," Kinlosti
intervened, in a tone full of courteous regret. "I have John outside
with the chauffeur, and there is only room for two comfortably in the
inside. We shall have to improvise a seat for Mr. Cotton."
"You don't anticipate any adventures on the way, I suppose?" I asked.
"Nothing after the style of this evening's happenings?"
"I sincerely trust not," was the earnest reply. "However, both John and
I are armed, and I do not think any one will venture so far as to hold
up the car."
"In that case, Rose," I said, "I think you and Leonard had better accept
Mr. Kinlosti's offer. At the worst I hear there are some char-à-bancs
running. I shall probably get a lift. At what hour did you think of
starting?"
"At nine o'clock, if Miss Mindel doesn't mind," Kinlosti answered
hastily. "The sooner we get away, the better. My chauffeur tells me that
they are asking two pounds a tin for petrol, and a Government order,
commandeering stocks, is expected out to-morrow."
We were more silent than usual on our walk home, perhaps because the
events of the evening had left us all something to think about. Once
Rose pressed my arm.
"I feel rather mean about you to-morrow, Maurice," she ventured.