into the house after her,' Theed went on. 'I heard her scream, but could not move to assist her. She shouted for help, but I couldn't answer. But she was plucky and she saved the situation.'
'How?' I asked, amazed.
'Why, she shouted out to me: "It's all right, Theed! I've telephoned down to Nutley. The police will soon be here!"'
'That was certainly a master-stroke, considering that we have no telephone here,' I exclaimed.
'No. But it scared the thieves—or whoever they were—for they didn't wait, but made off in a car which they had waiting down the lane. I heard them hurry away down to the lane, and soon afterwards the car started.'
'Who released you?' I asked.
'They had tied Mulliner to a chair in the kitchen but, after half an hour, she managed to get free, and came out to find and release me. Then, on going into the yard with a lamp, we found a curious thing. They had evidently been examining your aeroplane, sir.'
'They've been in there!' I gasped. 'Strangers!'
'Yes, sir. But, as far as I can see, they've done nothing.'
I at once took one of the side-lamps from the car and, with Roseye, went into the barn. Mulliner, who had now recovered from her fright, followed us.
As far as I could discern by a cursory glance, nothing had been tampered with. It was fortunate, however, that we had removed the box containing the secret electrical apparatus, and that it was concealed in the house, as was our constant habit.
