hristmas, has gone for help. If I know
anything, he won't be back again for ages. Seriously, how did what
happen?"

"Chauffeur took the turn rather late, and next moment we were up the
bank and in this wretched drift. It wasn't altogether the man's fault.
One of our head-lights wouldn't work, and you couldn't see the drift
till we were in it."

"He might have known better than to run so close to the hedge these
days."

"He's paying for it, any way, poor man. He's got to walk till he finds
a farm where they'll lend him horses to get the car out."

"Considering the hour and the climatic conditions, I don't suppose the
farmers will come running. I mean they'll wait to put some clothes on."

"Probably. Besides, he doesn't know the district, so he's up against
something this little night."

"Of all nights, too, Eve! But what about her, poor lass?"

"Oh, I'm all right."

"You must be. But don't you find it rather hot in there? Can I turn
on the electric fan?"

"I've been making good resolutions to pass the time."

"Hurray! So've I. I'm going to give up ferns. And you can tell me
yours as we go along."

"Go along?"

"Yes, my dear. Didn't I tell you I was a highwayman? I only left York
two hours ago."

"Quick going."

"Yes, I came by the boat train, with Black Bess in a horse-box. And
now I'm going to abduct you, Eve. Your soul's not your own when you're
up against High Toby. I have a pistol in my holster, a cloak on my
back, and a price on my head. My enemies call me Red Nat, me friends--"

I paused.

"What do your friends call you?"

"Adam," said I. "Let's see. You'll have to get out on the near side,
won't you? Wait a moment."

I plunged round the back of the car and opened the door. Certainly it
was terribly cold. While we had been talking, she had been leaning
against the side of the tilted car, with her face close to the inch and
a half of open window. Except for an occasional flash, which had
showed where her eyes were, I had not seen her at all. Expectantly I
raised the lamp and peered into the limousine. Out of a huge fur rug a
solitary eye regarded me steadily.

"Only one eye?" I said. "How sad. How did it happen?"

The solitary eye went out, and then reappeared with a fellow.

"You remind me of the North Foreland," said I. "That's an intermittent
light, isn't it? Two winks and a blink every ten seconds."

"I didn't wink." This in a plainly indignant, if muf