“And what did owd Selina Place want with you?” said Gowther at tea.

“Selina Place?” said Colin. “Who’s she?”

“You were talking to her just before you came in, and it’s not often you see her bothering with folks.”

“But how do you know her? She seemed to be a stranger round here, because she stopped to ask the way to Macclesfield?”

“She did what ? But that’s daft! Selina Place has lived in Alderley for as long as I con remember.”

“She has?”

“Ay, hers is one of the big houses on the back hill—a rambling barn of a place it is, stuck on the edge of a cliff. She lives alone theer with what are supposed to be three dogs, but they’re more like wolves, to my way of thinking, though I Conner rightly say as!”ve ever seen them. She never takes them out with her. But!”ve heard them howling of winter’s night, and its a noise I shanner forget in a hurry!

“And was that all she wanted? Just to know how to get to Macclesfield?”

“Yes, Oh, and she seemed to think that because we’d only recently come to live here we’d want a lift. But as soon as she saw you she jumped into the car and drove away. I think she’s not quite all there.”

“Happen you’d best have a word with yon,” said Bess. “It all sounds a bit rum to me. I think she’s up to summat.”

“Get away with your bother! Dick Thornicroft’s always said as she’s a bit cracked, and it looks as though hes reet. Still, it’s as well to keep clear of the likes of her, and I shouldner accept ony lifts, if I were you.

“Now then, from what you tell me, I con see as how you’ve been a tidy step this afternoon, so lets start near the beginning and then we shanner get ourselves lost. Well, yon place wheer you say theer was such a grand view is Stormy Point, and the cave with the hole in the roof is the Devils Grave, If you run round theer three times widdershins Owd Nick’s supposed to come up and fetch you.”