Earls of Fairholme, and their eldest
sons have been christened George Augustus ever since the beginning of
the eighteenth century."

"The name seems to fit our chauffeur all right, and I guess he has as
good a claim to it as any other man."

Cynthia was apt to flaunt the Stars and Stripes when Mrs. Devar aired
her class conventions, and the older woman had the tact to agree with
a careless nod. Nevertheless, had Cynthia Vanrenen known how strictly
accurate was her comment she would have been the most astounded girl
in London at that minute. The Viscountcy, of course, was nothing more
than a courtesy title; in the cold eye of the law, Medenham's full
legal name was that which Mrs. Devar deemed ridiculous. As events
shaped themselves, it was of the utmost importance to Cynthia, and
to Medenham, and to several other persons who had not yet risen
above their common horizon, that Mrs. Devar's sneer should pass
unchallenged. Though that lady herself was not fashioned of the softer
human clay which expresses its strenuous emotions by fainting fits or
hysteria, some such feminine expedient would certainly have prevented
her from going another hundred yards along the south road had some
wizard told her how nearly she had guessed the truth.

But the luck of the born adventurer saved Medenham from premature
exposure. "I dare all" was the motto of his house, and it was fated
to be tested in full measure ere he saw London again. Of these
considerations the purring Mercury neither knew nor cared. She sang
the song of the free highway, and sped through the leafy lanes of
Surrey with a fine disregard for Acts of Parliament and the "rules
and regulations therein made and provided." Soon after one o'clock,
however, she was compelled to climb the road to the downs in meek
agreement with two lines of toiling chars-a-bancs and laboring motors.
Just to show her mettle when the opportunity offered, she took the
steep hill opposite the stands with a greyhound rush that vastly
disconcerted a policeman who told Medenham to "hurry up out of the
dip."

Then, having found a clear space, she dozed for a while, and Cynthia,
like a true-born American, began the day's business by giving the
answer before either of her companions even thought of putting the
Great Question.

"Grimalkin will win!" she cried. "Mr. Deane told my father so. I want
to play Grimalkin for ten dollars!"

CHAPTER II

THE FIRST DAY'S RUN

Though Medenham was n