Cosway was punctual to his appointment. He knocked three times;he pronounced Miss Restall's Christian name. Nothing happened. He waited a while, and tried again. This time Adela's voice answered strangely from the shrubbery in tones of surprise: "Edwin, is it really you?""Did you expect any one else?" Cosway asked. "My darling, your message said ten o'clock--and here I am. "The door was suddenly unlocked.
"I sent no message," said Adela, as they confronted each other on the threshold.
In the silence of utter bewilderment they went together into the summer-house. At Adela's request, Cosway repeated the message that he had received, and described the woman who had delivered it. The description applied to no person known to Miss Restall.