e.

"Yes." It was Sandy who answered her, "He'd just swerved to avoid
driving over a dog and the next minute a kiddy ran out from the other
side of the road, right in his path, and he swerved again, so sharply
that the car ran up the side of the hedge and overturned.

"And Roger?"

Sandy's face twisted and he looked away.

"He was--underneath the car," he said at last, reluctantly.

Nan took a step forward and laid a hand on his arm. She had read the
meaning of that quick contraction of his face.

"You were there!" She spoke more as though stating a fact than asking
a question. "You saw it!"

"Yes," he acknowledged. "We got him out from under the car and carried
him home on a hurdle. Then I found the doctor, and he's with him now."

"I'd better go right across and see if I can help," said Nan
impulsively.

"No need. Isobel will be back this afternoon--I've wired her. And
they've already 'phoned for a couple of trained nurses. Besides, Lady
Gertrude's malady vanished the minute she heard Roger was injured. I
think"--with a brief smile--"her illness was mostly due to the fact
that Isobel was away, so of course she wanted to keep Roger by her side
all the time. Lady G. must always have a 'retinue' in attendance, you
know!"

A general smile acknowledged the truth of Sandy's diagnosis, but it was
quickly smothered. The suddenness and gravity of the accident which
had befallen Roger had shocked them all.

"What does the doctor say?" asked Penelope.

"He hasn't said anything very definite yet," replied Sandy. "He's
afraid there's some injury to the spine, so he's wired for a Plymouth
consultant. When he comes, they'll make a thorough examination."

"Ah!" Nan drew in her breath sharply.

"I suppose we shall hear to-night?" said Kitty. "The Plymouth man will
get here early this afternoon."

"I'll come over and let you know the report," answered Sandy. "I'm
going back to Trenby now, to see if I can do any errands or odd jobs
for them. A man's a useful thing to have about the place at a time
like this."

Kitty nodded soberly.

"Quite right, Sandy. And if there's anything we can any of us do to
help, 'phone down at once."

A minute later Sandy was speeding back to the Hall as fast as the
"stink-pot" could take him.

"It's pretty ghastly," said Kitty, as she and Nan turned away together.
"Poor old Roger!"

"Yes," replied Nan mechanically. "Poor Roger."

A sudden thought had sprung int