the road
and, missing his footing, stumbled on to his nose twenty-five paces
ahead.

Anthony ran up to the car, hat in hand.

"I'm awfully sorry," he said. "My dog was coming, and I couldn't stop
him. I'd called him before I saw you. I was afraid he'd be run over."

The fresh-faced youth at the wheel stared at him.

"That's all right, sir," he grinned. "How are you? You don't remember
me, Every. Met you at Saddle Tree Cross--huntin'. Valerie French
introduced us."

"Of course," said Anthony. "I remember you perfectly. Are you all
right?"

"Goin' strong, thanks." He turned to a girl at his side. "Joan, let
me introduce Major Lyveden--my sister." Anthony bowed. "We're goin'
down to Evesham to see some spaniel pups. Are you livin' down here,
sir?"

Anthony indicated his cabin with a smile.

"That's my house," he said. "I've turned forester, and I'm working on
this estate."

"But how priceless," said Joan. "If I were a man, that's just what
I'd----"

"Yes," said her brother. "I can see you gettin' up at dawn an' hewin'
down trees an' things with a bead-bag on your wrist an'----"

"I said 'if I was a man,'" protested Joan. "I said..."

The argument waxed, and Anthony began to laugh. So soon as he could
get a word in--

"I mustn't keep you," he said.

Peter Every glanced at his watch.

"Twenty-past twelve!" he cried. "George, no! I'll have to put her
along. I suppose you won't come on and lunch with us, sir? We'd love
it, and we can drop you here on the way back."

"Yes, do," urged Joan.

Anthony shook his head.

"You're very kind," he said, smiling, "but I've any amount to do. When
you live alone, and you've only one day a week..."

"I'm sorry," said Every. "Still, if you won't..."

He let in the clutch.

"Good-bye," said Anthony.

"Good-bye," cried the others.

The car slid forward.

A moment later, arrived at the top of the hill, it dropped over the
crest and sank out of sight.

* * * * *

It was twelve days later that Mr. Peter Every found his cake to be
dough.

Taking advantage of a general invitation, issued when he was six years
old, he had asked himself to Bell Hammer ostensibly to enjoy a day's
hunting, but in reality with the express intention of inviting Miss
Valerie French to become his lady-wife.

All things considered, it was rather hard that before he had been in
the house for an hour and a half he should himself have pu