“ ‘Precisely so. We shall want you to come tonight by the last train.’

“ ‘Where to?’

“ ‘To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 11:15.’

“ ‘Very good.’

“ ‘I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.’

“ ‘There is a drive, then?’

“ ‘Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good seven miles from Eyford Station.’

“ ‘Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the night.’

“ ‘Yes, we could easily give you a shakedown.’