r was running smoothly through the streets of a little town when
there was a loud report, which even Toni, roused from her half-dazed
stupor, recognized as the bursting of a tyre; and the next instant
Leonard appeared at the door of the car, concern and apprehension in his
face.

"I am so sorry--one of the front tyres has burst, and the man will have
to repair it as well as he can in the fog."

"Where are we?" asked Toni idly, seeing beyond the figure of Dowson a
few blurred lights as of houses or shops.

"Luckily we are at Stratton," said Leonard more cheerfully. "Right in
front of some sort of an hotel, too. Won't you come in a moment and get
warm? It's too foggy and damp for you to wait out here."

Without speaking Toni threw aside the rug and stepped out of the car.
The raw, chilly air pierced her to the bone, even through the thick fur
of her coat; and she shivered as she stood there, looking pathetically
young and slight to the eyes of the man beside her.

"Come into the 'Red Lion,' or whatever they call it." He put a hand,
rather timidly, on her sleeve, and Toni allowed him to lead her towards
the entrance of the hotel, whose lamps shone bravely through the fog,
making blurred splashes of yellow light in the murky grey gloom.

Opening the door, Leonard led her into the cheery entrance hall; and the
next minute a stout, motherly-looking woman bustled out of a small
side-office, and asked what might be the visitors' pleasure.

Leonard explained that a slight accident to their car would delay them a
few moments; and since the night was so inclement, he had persuaded the
lady to come inside, in search of fire and lights.

The stout landlady grasped the situation immediately, and led the way up
a short flight of stairs to a sitting-room on the first floor, where a
bright fire burned, and thick red curtains, closely drawn, successfully
excluded the clammy fog, and created an atmosphere of well-being and
good cheer.

"Wouldn't the lady like a cup of tea or coffee, sir?" The woman had
noted Toni's pallor. "It can be ready in a moment--and a sandwich or two
as well?"

After consulting his watch and calculating they had time to spare,
Leonard ordered coffee and sandwiches at once; and the woman withdrew in
a smiling haste which seemed to betoken the desire to lose no time.

Toni had sunk into a chair by the fire, and was leaning forward holding
her hands to the blaze. In her face was so patent a misery that for