and set off her
fresh complexion to perfection. This was not at all brown, but her
eyes were. Great, big ones these, with a star in each of them for
laughter. Her nose turned up ever so slightly, and she had a little
way of tilting her dainty chin, as if to keep it company. Red lips.
Presently she looked at me through the smoke.

"Are you going to Whinnerley?" she said.

"Yes, please."

"To the Hall?"

"Even as you are."

"How did you know?"

"The sensitive bag had a label."

"Oh, I believe you're one of Berry and Co."

"Look here," I said, "you mustn't judge me by my company. If my
relatives and connections by marriage like to make themselves infamous,
that is no fault of mine. They have made their beds. Let them lie on
them. I will recline upon my humble, but separate couch."

"What have they done?"

"Notorious wrong. Only last week, for instance, they mocked me."

"No?"

"They did, indeed--during the savoury. As part-owner, I craved a seat
in the car. They scorned my request. Who was I? To--day, they drive
from Norfolk to Dorset. But for their swabhood they would have picked
me up in London on the way."

"On the what?"

"I admit it would have necessitated a slight deviation, but against
that you must set off the tone my presence lends-- Forgive me, but
there's a wasp on your left leg."

She sat up with a cry.

"Oh, take it off! Take it off!"

"Its taste--"

"Bother its taste. Take it off! Is it crawling--"

"Up? Yes. Don't move. Draw your dress tight."

Obediently, she drew her dress close about her, perhaps half an inch
below a knee that Artemis might have been proud to display. I let the
wasp reach the dark blue cloth. Then I seized him. As I put him out
of the window, he naturally stung me. Before I had time to apologize
for the expletive which escaped me, she had caught my hand.

"Which finger is it?"

"The second. South and by east of the nail."

"Here?"

"Yes."

"Shall I press the poison out?"

"You can amputate it and sear the stump if you like. Good heavens,
your necklace is undone at the back."

"It isn't?"

"It is really."

"Well, do it up with your left hand. I'll attend to the sting."

It was at this interesting juncture that the door opened and a footman
stood in the August afternoon sunshine, touching his cap and staring
fixedly down the platform. On a station lamp was 'Whinnerley Bluff'.

How we got out of the train and into the c