ot leave his car, which is in a side street off Piccadilly.
He would have sent a note, but he remembered that you had never seen
his handwriting, so, as a proof of my genuineness, he gave me your
itinerary."

Medenham produced a closely-written sheet of note-paper, which Miss
Vanrenen presumably recognized. She turned to her stout companion, who
had been summing up car and chauffeur with careful eyes since Medenham
first spoke.

"What do _you_ think, Mrs. Devar?" she said.

When he heard the name, Medenham was so amazed that the last vestige
of chauffeurism vanished from his manner.

"You don't mean to say you are Jimmy Devar's mother?" he gasped.

Mrs. Devar positively jumped. If a look could have slain he would have
fallen then and there. As it was, she tried to freeze him to death.

"Do I understand that you are speaking of Captain Devar, of Horton's
Horse?" she said, aloof as an iceberg.

"Yes," said he coolly, though regretting the lapse. He had stupidly
brought about an awkward incident, and must remember in future not to
address either lady as an equal.

"I was not aware that my son was on familiar terms with the chauffeur
fraternity."

"Sorry, but the name slipped out unawares. Captain Devar is, or used
to be, very easy-going in his ways, you know."

"So it would seem." She turned her back on him disdainfully. "In the
circumstances, Cynthia," she said, "I am inclined to believe that we
ought to make further inquiries before we exchange cars, and drivers,
in this fashion."

"But what is to be done? All our arrangements are made--our rooms
ordered--I have even sent father each day's address. If we cancel
everything by telegraph he will be alarmed."

"Oh, I did not mean that," protested the lady hurriedly. It was
evident that she hardly knew what to say. Medenham's wholly unexpected
query had unnerved her.

"Is there any alternative?" demanded Cynthia ruefully, glancing from
one to the other.

"It is rather late to hire another car to-day, I admit----" began Mrs.
Devar.

"It would be quite impossible, madam," put in Medenham. "This is Derby
Day, and there is not a motor to be obtained in London except a
taxicab. It was sheer good luck for Simmonds that he was able to
secure me as his deputy."

He thanked his stars for that word "madam." Certainly the mere sound
of it seemed to soothe Mrs. Devar's jarred nerves, and the appearance
of the Mercury was even more reassuring.

"Ah, well," she said