Penny shook her head. "I don't know what to think. Everything is upside down. If we didn't know what we do know about him we'd think he was quite decent!... I say, something has happened to the weather. It's going to rain like fun in a moment, and the wind is worse than ever... Let's cross over and look at the sea."

The tide was low, but the waves were racing in over the sands and breaking in fury over the rocks. Storm clouds filled the western sky and the force of the wind seemed to grow every minute as they leaned over the rails and watched the seagulls twist and turn over the deserted beach. Then came the first sharp stinging raindrops.

They noticed that under the Parade on which they were standing was another covered walk open to the sea and that they could reach the pier this way in shelter. Dickie was fascinated by the concrete walls of this underground parade, which were studded with the coloured fragments of broken glass bottles and china.

Mr. Grandon was waiting for them as he had promised in a shelter by the pier. He had no raincoat and looked rather miserable and cold in his smart grey suit.

"I have parked the car," he said. "Let us go and eat."

Mr. Grandon had obviously made arrangements for their reception and they were able to settle down at a nice table in the window.

Dickie looked doubtfully at the menu thrust into his hand by an efficient waiter and their host was just saying:

"Perhaps you will leave it to me to order for you. I know what you like, you see," when his elbow was jogged by a large woman who was making her way to the next table and he dropped the card. He stooped to pick it up, while Penny gasped audibly as Miss Ballinger sat down within four feet of them.

At that Miss Ballinger turned and recognized Penny. Her ugly, bespectacled face broke into a smile of welcome as she got up and waddled over to them.

"But what a pleasant surprise, my dear!" she boomed. "Have you come to search the antique shops here for me? And where is your cousin, Jonathan? I seem to remember these children. And this gentleman? Perhaps you will introduce me?"

Miss Ballinger's pretence of not knowing her own accomplice rendered Penny speechless, until suddenly she realized that Miss Ballinger was not aware that the children knew of the connection between them!

"I am so sorry, Miss Ballinger. This is Mr. Grandon, who manages the Dolphin for my aunt and who kindly brought us along in the car for a few hours. Mr. Grandon, this is Miss Ballinger, whom we met on the train and at Winchelsea. But perhaps you know her?"

Grandon shook his head and then bowed gracefully.

"I have not that pleasure," he smiled. "How do you do, madam?"