They were debating which way to go, when Miss Marple said, “Let’s head towards the Houses of Parliament, I do like to see Big Ben, although it isn’t…” and then stopped abruptly.  Dolly looked at her, and she said, “Over there, isn’t that Major Challoner?”

“Where?” Dolly asked.  “Oh yes, so it is.  I wonder what he’s doing.”

They saw him go into a small café and, without consulting each other, the two ladies turned and walked towards it.  As they entered the café Miss Marple said, “There’s a table over there, why don’t you go and stake a claim before someone else gets to it.  I’ll be with you in a minute.”

She followed more slowly and tripped as she passed one of the tables.  Reaching out to steady herself she said, “Well I never.  Major Challoner, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Miss Marple.”  The major inclined his head and looked into the steely blue eyes.  “I wonder.  Are you by chance staying up in London?”

“I am.”

“Then may I visit you, say at about five o’clock this afternoon?  And in the meantime, I would be very grateful if you didn’t mention to anyone that you’d seen me.”

“Of course.  I’m staying at the Cheshire.”

Miss Marple smiled and walked over to the table where Dolly was waiting for her.

***

Next morning, at breakfast, Dolly said, “Are you sure this is wise, Jane?  It could be dangerous.”

Miss Marple said, “At my age one has occasionally to do things which may not be wise.  After all, I am only going on a little trip with the major.  And do remember not to breathe a word to anyone about this.”

“But what if you don’t come back?”

“Then I shall have gone out having a great adventure.”

Dolly shook her head, but Miss Marple remained completely unperturbed.

Major Challoner arrived precisely at the time he had stated, and escorted Miss Marple to his car.  They headed south and Miss Marple looked out of the window, watching as the sights of central London became the suburban homes for those who worked in the city, and then out into the Surrey countryside.  Finally, the major drew up outside a country hotel which was serving coffee in a garden to one side.

“All I would like you to do is observe those who arrive and depart and, as far as possible, keep a note without being observed,” the major said.  “Take your time over your coffee, and if necessary do order a second cup.  You know what to say if you’re questioned.”

“Of course.”  Miss Marple smiled.  “My nephew has gone for a walk and will be back in a little while.”

She found a suitable chair and took out her knitting.  A waiter brought her some coffee and some shortbread.  Every so often she would stop and make a note on her knitting pattern before continuing to knit.

After some time, the waiter came over and asked her if she would be staying to lunch.

“No, thank you,” she replied.  “My nephew went for a walk, some little while ago.  He should be back soon.”

“Of course, madam.  However, we may have to ask you to sit somewhere else, as we will be needing the table for lunches.”

“I quite understand.  Dear me, I do wonder where he can have got to.”

At that moment someone shouted, and the major staggered across the road, looking as though he had been attacked.  With everyone’s attention on the major, Miss Marple picked up her knitting and slipped away to find a telephone.  She gave her message, and then found a seat in the lounge, where she once more took out her knitting and blended into the surroundings.

Half an hour later, a very military looking gentleman came into the lounge and approached her chair.  “Miss Marple?” he asked.

She looked up and nodded.

“I am Major Challoner’s senior officer.  You were probably expecting someone called Buttercup.”

“I must admit you’d don’t look much like a buttercup.”

“That was Challoner’s joke.  And speaking of the major, he’s been taken to hospital but should make a full recovery.”

“I’m very pleased to hear it.  Now, you’ll be wanting this.”  Miss Marple handed over the knitting pattern, with all her notes written on it.

The gentleman read through the notes, nodding in appreciation.  “I’ll just copy these out and then you can have your pattern back.”

“You can keep it.  I don’t need it.”

“But surely you need this for your knitting.”

“That pattern is for a baby’s bonnet and bootees.  I am knitting a sweater.”

“In which case, thank you very much.  This will be very useful.  I shall arrange for one of my men to drive you back to your hotel.  Would you like some lunch first?”

“I wouldn’t mind a sandwich, if that were possible, but nothing more.”

Miss Marple arrived back at her hotel mid-afternoon, to be greeted by Dolly Bantry.

“How did it go?” she asked.

“I had a very pleasant little trip.  The shortbread was excellent, but the bread for the sandwiches was a little dry.  And I managed to make some progress with the sweater for my niece’s youngest girl.”

“Was that it?”

“Yes.  I told you nothing would happen to me.”