motor accident. Knights-errant
rode on chargers in the old days, I believe, but the spirit remains the
same, doesn't it? I scorned it once to my shame, but it is a spirit
for which I am now profoundly grateful. Come to me when you can; I
shall be at home.

"Hasta la vista,

"WILLA MURDAUGH."

"Well, for the love of Pete!" Vernon exploded, when the butler had
withdrawn. "You're blushing like a June rose! Willa, are you holding
out on us? Have you a steady you are keeping company with,
unbeknownst?"

"Don't be absurd, Vernon!" She dimpled, in spite of herself. "That
was only from Mr. Thode. He was going to call this afternoon with his
sister, but he can't. He's had a slight motor accident."

"Then Starr must have met a steam-roller!" Vernon stopped, and added
in sudden suspicion: "I say, you didn't give me away? You didn't
mention----?"

"I?" Willa's eyes widened demurely. "I expressed polite regret, of
course. What have I to do with motor accidents?"

"Nothing, I hope, if you go slow," Vernon hesitated. "I don't want to
butt in, Willa, but I'd like to give you a hint, if you don't mind.
Gray cars are not invisible."

She had paused at the door.

"Just what does that mean?" she demanded. "Of course I know you and
Starr Wiley followed me the other day, but how do you know where the
car came from?"

"I don't," retorted Vernon quickly. "That's your own affair, Willa,
only I thought you ought to know that Art Judson and one or two others
spoke of the nifty little car they'd seen you about in, in the last two
or three days. I thought I had better tell you before Mason North gets
hold of it and asks questions."

"Much obliged, Vernie, but if he does I sha'n't answer them." Willa
smiled. "I'll take you out some day if you like. The little car is a
wonder and you and Starr Wiley would never in the world have been able
to hang on the trail that time if I hadn't meant you to! If anyone
asks you about the car, however, you never heard of it. Understand?"

She turned lightly and ran from the room, leaving her cousin chuckling.
The simple, formal little note was pressed tightly to her breast as a
most passionate avowal might have been, and her eyes were like
dew-drenched violets when she reached her room. Thode had come at the
moment of her unapprehended need, and he had fought for her once more,
asking no guerdon but the unalienable right of man to protect the women
of his world and kind