“What I was going to tell you just now was this,” said Caroline.

 

“Yes?” said Miss Ganett encouragingly.

 

“My idea about Ralph Paton, I mean.”

 

“Yes, dear,” said Miss Ganett, still more encouragingly. “Chow!”

 

“It’s a sign of weakness to Chow so early,” said Caroline severely. “You should

go for a big hand.”

 

“I know,” said Miss Ganett. “You were saying—about Ralph Paton, you know?”

 

“Yes. Well, I’ve a pretty shrewd idea where he is.”

 

We all stopped to stare at her.

 

“This is very interesting, Miss Caroline,” said Colonel Carter. “All your own

idea, eh?”

 

“Well, not exactly. I’ll tell you about it. You know that big map of the county

we have in the hall?”

 

We all said Yes.