all be glad when
Simmonds takes his place. But there! We must not renew our Bournemouth
argument."

"And he caused a servant in the hotel to speak to you in that manner?"

"Yes--the very girl who waited on us at tea--a pert creature, who
seemed to find the task congenial."

Mrs. Devar was building better than she knew. Cynthia laughed, though
not with the whole-souled merriment that was music in Medenham's ears.

"She has been properly punished; I forgot to tip her," she explained.

"Count Edouard would see to that----"

"He didn't. I noticed what he paid--out of sheer curiosity. Perhaps I
ought to send her something."

"My dear Cynthia!"

But dear Cynthia was making believe to be quite amused by a notion
that had just suggested itself. She leaned forward in the darkness and
touched Medenham's shoulder.

"Do you happen to know the name of the waitress who brought you some
tea at Cheddar?" she asked. "None of us gave her anything, and I hate
to omit these small items. If I had her name I could forward a postal
order from Bristol."

"There is no need, Miss Vanrenen," said Medenham. "I handed her--well,
sufficient to clear all claims."

"_You_ did? But why?"

The temptation to explain that he had never seen the girl before that
day was strong, but he waived it, and contented himself with saying:

"I--er--can't exactly say--force of habit, I imagine."

"Is she a friend of yours?"

"No."

Cynthia subsided into the tonneau.

"Of all the odd things!" she murmured, little dreaming that her chance
question had sent a thrill of sheer delight through Medenham's every
vein.

"What is it now?" inquired Mrs. Devar vindictively, for she detested
these half confidences.

"Oh, nothing of any importance. Fitzroy footed the bill, it seems."

"Very probably. He must have bribed the girl to be impudent."

Cynthia left it at that. She wished these people would stop their
quarreling, which threatened to spoil an otherwise perfect day.

The Mercury ran smoothly into ancient Bristol, crossed the Avon by the
pontoon bridge, and whirled up the hill to the College Green Hotel.
There, on the steps, stood Captain James Devar. Obviously, he did not
recognize them, and Medenham guessed the reason--he expected to meet
his mother only, and bestowed no second glance on a car containing two
ladies. Indeed, his first words betrayed sheer amazement. Mrs. Devar
cried, "Ah, there you are, James!" and James's eyeglass fell from its