Then there was the sound of running footsteps on the drive and the second man reappeared, close behind him a tall, dark woman whom Miss Helstone immediately identified as Mrs. Dresden, the housekeeper. A short conversation followed, in a language with which I was not conversant, and then the first man unlocked the gates and drew them back. I drove through and Mrs. Dresden, who at once introduced herself, got into the rear of the car with Pons and our client.
"My poor child!" she said, obviously moved, and embraced the girl. "We thought something dreadful had happened to you."
"These gentlemen found me on the road and took me to their London home," Miss Helstone explained. "I was exhausted and incoherent, I am afraid. I explained the situation this morning and they kindly brought me back."
I was watching Mrs. Dresden closely in the rear mirror as I negotiated the winding driveway, and I saw her look sharply at Pons.
"That was very good of them, my dear. Mr. Basden has been frantic with worry, I assure you. The children are quite safe."
"Thank God, Mrs. Dresden. T have been so concerned. What will Mr. Basden think? And what could those evil men have possibly wanted?"
The housekeeper faltered and I saw a look of indecision pass across her face.
"Do not trouble yourself further, Miss Helstone. Mr. Basden will explain. He is waiting for you. And he will certainly want to thank these gentlemen."
I drove on for some way, and then the estate road widened out into a gravel concourse. I was prepared for an imposing building but the fantastic folly that rose before us in the winter morning was a Gothic monstrosity on the grand scale, with turrets like those of a French château and crenellated walls grafted on. All this was surrounded by sweeping banks of gloomy rhododendrons, interspersed here and there with groups of mournful statuary, which seemed to weep in the moist air.
I stopped the car before a massive flight of steps, at the top of which another bulky, anonymous-looking man waited to receive us. I felt somewhat apprehensive, but Pons looked immensely at home as he got out of the car and looked approvingly about him with keen, incisive glances.
"You have not exaggerated, Miss Helstone. The Priory is indeed a remarkable piece of architecture."
Our client said nothing but took Pons' arm timidly as he mounted the steps after the hurrying figure of the housekeeper. She paused at the imposing front entrance to the house.
"Whom shall I say, sir?"
"My name is Bassington," said Pons in clear, pleasant tones. "And this is my friend, Mr. Tovey."
"A ridiculous name, Pons," I whispered as Mrs. Dresden disappeared through the portals and we followed at a more leisurely pace.
"Perhaps, Parker, but it was all I could think of at the moment. It is not unpleasing, surely? The name of a distinguished musician came into my mind."
"As you wish, Pons," I said resignedly. "I only hope I can remember it."
We were being ushered into a vast hall floored with black and white tiles now, and we waited while Mrs. Dresden and our client hurried up the marble staircase to the upper floors.
I looked around curiously, only half aware of the bustle in the great house; it was evident that Miss Helstone's return had caused quite a stir, and I could near a man's voice raised in tones of relief. The mansion itself was magnificently appointed, and all the strange circumstances of our client's story came back as I took in the details of our opulent surroundings.
We stood there for perhaps ten minutes, Pons silently observing the dark-coated men who scurried about the hall on furtive errands of their own, when a man came hurrying down the staircase. From his appearance and his timid air, I recognized the figure described so eloquently by Miss Helstone as Basden, the head of this strange household.
"Mr. Bassington?" he said in a trembling voice. "I am indeed indebted to you for the rescue of our little Miss Helstone. I have been distraught with worry. Mr. Tovey, is it? Do come into the drawing room, gentlemen. Miss Helstone will join us once she has removed her hat and coat."
He led the way into a large, pine-paneled room in which an aromatic fire of logs burned in the marble Adam fireplace.
"Please be seated, gentlemen. May I offer you coffee or some stronger refreshment?"
"That is indeed good of you, Mr. Basden," said Pons blandly. "But speaking for myself I require nothing."
I smilingly declined also and studied Basden closely while his conversation with Pons proceeded. He did indeed look furtive and ill at ease, and constantly glanced about him as if we were being observed, though we were quite alone in the room.
"And how are the children?"
Basden looked startled and then collected himself.
"Oh, quite well, Mr. Bassington. They were merely frightened and ran back to the house. But I am not quite sure how you came across Miss Helstone…"
"We were on our way back to London in the early hours when we found the young lady bedraggled and half conscious, lying by the side of the road. We got her into our car and, as my companion is a doctor, we thought it best to take, her straight to my London house, where my wife made her comfortable overnight. In the morning, when she was sufficiently recovered, she told us her story and so we brought her immediately back."
Basden licked his lips.
"I see. As I have already indicated, that was extremely good of you both. If there is any way in which I could defray your expenses…"
Pons held up his hand with an imperious gesture.
"Say no more about it, Mr. Basden. But they sound a dangerous gang of ruffians about your estate. Ought we not to call in the police?"
The expression of alarm that passed across Basden's features was so marked, it was impossible to mistake, though he at once attempted to erase it.
"We have had a good deal of trouble with poachers, Mr. Bassington," he said awkwardly. "My gamekeepers have dealt with the problem. We called the police, of course, but unfortunately the rogues got clean away without a trace. The neighborhood has been much plagued with the rascals."
"Oh, well, that would appear to dispose of the matter," said Pons with a disarming smile. "I am glad it was no worse. And now, if we could just say goodbye to our young companion, we will be on our way."
"Certainly, Mr. Bassington. And a thousand thanks again for all your trouble."
We had just re-entered the hall when our client came hurrying down the stairs, the worry and strain of the past time still showing plainly on her face.
"Going so soon, gentlemen? I had hoped you would be staying to lunch."
"We have to get back to London immediately, Miss Helstone. But we leave you in safe hands, I'm sure."
Basden beamed in the background, one of the dark-coated men holding the hall door ajar for us.
"You may rely on that, Mr. Bassington."
Pons bent his head over Miss Helstone's fingertips in a courteous gesture. I was close to him but even I had difficulty in making out the words he breathed to the girl.
"Have no fear, Miss Helstone. You are not in any danger. The doctor and I will be just outside the estate. Make sure you show yourself in the grounds tonight at about eight o'clock."
"Goodbye, gentlemen. And thank you."
There was relief on Miss Helstone's face as she and Basden said goodbye. The latter shook hands with us briefly and the two of them stood on the front steps watching us as we drove away. I had noticed previously that there were other cars in front of the house, and Pons seemed to snow great interest in a gleaming Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that was parked near the steps. As soon as we had passed through the entrance gates and were rolling back toward Clitherington, Pons became less reticent.