It was quite dark by this time, night having been hurried on by the lowering skies.

A moment later, three horsemen, drenched to the skin, drew up in front of the inn, threw their reins over the posts, and dashed for shelter.

They came noisily into the arbour, growling and stamping their soggy feet.
"What, ho!" called one of the newcomers, sticking his head through a window of the house.

Brock and Miss Fowler looked on, amused by the plight of the riders.

Two of them were unquestionably officers of the police; the third seemed to be an Englishman.