What DO you suppose--" "I hope you won't be alarmed," continued the voice, broken by panting pauses, as if the speaker was struggling into a garment.

"I know this must seem strange.

You see, I came on the coach as far as Bayport and then we lost a wheel in a rut.

There was a--oh, dear! where IS that--this is supremely idiotic!--I was saying there happened to be a man coming this way with a buggy and he offered to help me along.

He was on his way to Wellmouth.