Besides I know you would never do anything
because I asked you, although as a matter of fact, we all have the right
to our usual two hours off duty this afternoon and less than half of
that time has gone by."

There was a little sting of bad temper in Thea Thompson's manner and
words which undoubtedly were her heritage along with her brilliant
red-gold hair.

Instead of replying Dr. Raymond drove his car, not backward toward the
hospital as he had announced his intention of doing, but into one of the
country roads leading into an entirely unknown locality.

It would have been difficult for him to have explained his impetuous
action.

Half an hour later, at the end of a road which led apparently nowhere,
Dr. Raymond stopped his car.

"I think I have already managed to lose the way, thanks to you, Miss
Thompson," he announced irritably, "However, I suppose we can simply
turn around and go back. Certainly this part of the country is entirely
uninteresting without a house or an individual in sight. I was very
foolish to agree to your request and shall certainly reproach myself if
any one has been in special need of me at the hospital. I only trust we
may be able to return as quickly as we have made the trip."

However, Thea made no reply to this reproachful speech except to jump to
her feet.

"Look!" she cried dramatically. "What a perfectly charming picture in
that field over there! I told you I was from Kentucky and yet I never
saw any one ride so beautifully!"

Naturally Thea's companions followed her suggestion.

Just beyond the end of their road was a wide open field thick with
winter stubble. In the centre was a tall hurdle intended for jumping.

Riding toward this hurdle at a swift pace was a young girl; she was
wearing a close fitting, scarlet riding habit, a little dark hat of some
kind and high riding boots.

Her horse was almost equally slim and beautiful, and horse and rider had
the suggestion of oneness which is the attribute of perfect riding.

There was no other human being in sight.

The girl was making straight for the hurdle. Evidently she and her horse
were both in the habit of jumping for neither showed the least sign of
nervousness.

Breathless with admiration and interest the two American girls and their
companions watched.

The horse rose in the air, his head a little forward, the rider holding
the bridle with just the right degree of freedom and firmness.

She was sitting perfec