e
explanations?---- And I hope that your wrist will soon be better."

He had given the driver his address and was stepping into the taxi, when
he heard Terry's voice, "Why, you're running away! You mustn't go
without meeting the General. General Braithwaite, I want to introduce
you to Lord Taborley, of whom I've spoken to you so often."

Tabs limped back to the pavement and found the General regarding him
intently. "I'm glad to make Lord Taborley's acquaintance," he said
formally. And then to Terry, "You didn't tell me that it was for Lord
Taborley you were borrowing my car."

Before Terry could reply, Tabs was answering for her, "Then I have to
apologize to you, sir, as well as to thank you. But we've used the same
car often, haven't we? In fact, I'm certain that we've met many times."

"Never to my knowledge." The General drew himself up stiffly. "You
mistake me. It's the first time I've had the pleasure."

The two tall men stood glooming at each other. Tabs had it on the tip of
his tongue to say something more, but glanced at Terry and thought
better of it. Instead he addressed her, "Do I drive you home?"

The General interrupted. "It'll be out of your way. I'm going right past
Miss Beddow's house."

For the first time since they had been introduced Terry came between
their hostility. "How did you know where Lord Taborley lived and that it
would be out of his way? You said that this was the first time you had
met him."

Tabs refused to make her the witness of a quarrel. "Since General
Braithwaite knows where I live, perhaps he will call and explain that to
me later. I can't keep my cab waiting longer--are you riding with me,
Terry?"

She avoided his eyes. "With the General." And then, "You won't forget
that you're dining to-night with father?"

"To-night. At seven-thirty, I suppose, as usual?"

"At seven-thirty."

He raised his hat. As he drove away he felt compelled to look back just
once to assure himself. He caught the General's features in full
sunlight; he had not been mistaken.

"So that's why my letters to him weren't returned, and that's why he
didn't write! He's gone farther than far with a vengeance." He clenched
his fists and frowned savagely at his crippled leg. "I felt so sure of
her--and to have to compete with my own valet!"

CHAPTER THE SECOND

RETRIEVERS OF YOUTH

I

The taxi had scarcely drawn up before a small, prim house in Brompton
Square when the door was opened by