lord. No man can provide against an accident of this sort. But Miss Vanrenen will lose all confidence in me. The arrangement was that today's spin should be a short one -- to Brighton. I was to take the ladies to Epsom in time for the Derby, and then we were to run quietly to the Metropole. Miss Vanrenen made such a point of seeing the race that she will be horribly disappointed. There is an American horse entered----"

"By gad, another gambler!"

Simmonds laughed grimly.

"I don't think Miss Vanrenen knows much about racing, my lord, but the owner of Grimalkin is a friend of her father's, and he is confident about winning this year."Miss Vanrenen read rapidly, a slight frown contracting her shapely
brows."Simmonds does not seem to be the world's best speller," she said,
smiling. Then, with a shade of diffidence in her manner: "But, oh, I
am so sorry for him! How _did_ the accident happen?""The fool was obstructed by a cart in front and a van behind. He sat
there like a pole-axed log. I think he would have permitted the van to
come into the car with him rather than move.""Poor fellow!" said Miss Vanrenen. She put the note into the pocket
of her loose dust-coat, and bent to examine the luggage carrier. To
Medenham's immense surprise, her eyebrows again sought the skies. "Why,
these trunks are not mine!" she cried.Medenham, in turn, was amazed. He had accepted Simmonds'
explanations on faith."But I understood they were, mademoiselle," he said
gravely."Then how could you assure me that I should not be
disappointed?"The lady was frankly indignant. She stepped back a pace, and swept all
charges of subterfuge aside with a glance which meant to annihilate
them. Medenham grew hot, and explained hurriedly:"I beg pardon. That, of course, was in reference to the efficiency of
the car, not to the trunks. I naturally assumed that Simmonds had
already brought our luggage here."Miss Vanrenen's rebuke ended. She felt a certain pleasure when he said
"--_our_ luggage." A wish to laugh lay just beneath the surface of
events, but was kept in check by the real seriousness of a position
which, indeed, might easily become tragic if the gentleman was unable
to throw further light on the whereabouts of those essential
requisites of modern travel, her clothes, brushes, petticoats, and
what not.Medenham was by no means a fool, and he had a driver's knowledge of
women, homely and commercial no doubt, but useful on sudden occasions.
Also, he read in the girl's eyes a certain appeal for help, a glance
which softly but surely said, "We are dependent on you. Do not

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