fled tone--too
muffled for me. So:

"I beg your pardon," said I. A little hand appeared and pulled the rug
away from a small white nose and a mouth whose lips were paler than
they should be. But it was a dear mouth.

"I said I didn't wink."

"So you did. I don't mean you did, you know. I mean, I know you said
you didn't. I'm not sure I've got it right now."

"Never mind. I've only one brain, and at this hour of night--"

"The vitality of the human frame is at its lowest ebb. Exactly.
That's why you must let me get you out of this as quick as possible."

"Oh, but I don't think--I mean--"

"My dear Eve, I know you come of an old-fashioned family--look at your
father--but Convention's going by the board to-night. I'm staying at
an inn about nine miles away. We'll be there under the half-hour.
There's supper and a fire waiting for us, Why, yes, and you can have
Jill's room. Of course, there'll be a fire there, too, and everything
ready. You see--"

Hurriedly I explained the situation. When I had finished:

"But what'll the inn people think?" she said, with big eyes.

"Oh, hang the inn people?"

"And supposing it got out?"

"I think the proceedings at the inquest would read worse, my dear. Get
up and come along at once."

"Oh, but you know I can't."

"You must. I'm serious. You'll die if you stop here much longer, my
dear child. Do you realize how cold it really is?"

A faint smile came over the gentle face, set in its frame of fur.

"Poor lass," I cried. "What a fool I am. Give me her hand, and I'Il
help her up."

"But what about Falcon?"

"The chauffeur?"

She nodded. I thought for a moment, then I looked for the companion.
There, happily, were tablets and a pencil.

"We'll write him a note," said I. "Wait a minute."

With difficulty I scrawled a few words. Then:

"How will this do? Falcon, I have been found and taken to shelter. If
possible, bring the car to 'The Three Bulls,' Steeple Abbas, by noon
tomorrow. Will you sign it?"

I put the pencil into her hand and held the lamp for her to see. She
wrote quickly. When she had finished, I laid the tablets on the seat,
where they must be seen at once. When I looked at her again, I saw she
was smiling.

"So there's something in the nickname, after all?"

"What nickname?" said I. "Red Nat?"

"No. 'Gentleman of the road,' Adam."

"Thank you, Eve. If I could feel my mouth, I'd kiss your hand for
that. As it is-