e, and matters seemed so desperate that Everard
determined to hail the very first passing motorist who seemed to be able
to help them. Fate brought along no handsome tourist car, but a rattling
motor-lorry, the driver of which stopped in answer to their united
shouts, and, after hearing of the difficulty they were in, consented to
give them a lift to the town, five miles away, for which he was bound.
Fortunately the lorry was empty, so the family thankfully climbed in,
and squatted on the floor, while Everard sat in front with the driver.

It was not a very aristocratic mode of conveyance for the heir of
Cheverley Chase, but Everard was in no mood to pick and choose just
then, and would have accepted a seat in a coal truck if necessary. As
for the younger ones, they enjoyed the fun of it. It was a very bumpy
performance to sit on the floor of the jolting wagon, but at any rate
infinitely preferable to walking.

Arrived in Bilstone, their cicerone drove them to a Commercial Hotel
with whose landlady he had some acquaintance, and that good dame, after
eyeing the party curiously, consented to make up beds for them for the
night.

"I've no private sitting-room to put you in, and I can't show these
young ladies into the commercial room," she objected; "but I'll have a
fire lighted in one of the bedrooms, and you can all have some tea up
there. Will that suit you?"

Lilias and Dulcie, catching a glimpse through an open door of the
company smoking in the commercial room, agreed thankfully, glad to find
some safe haven to which they could beat a retreat.

"I wonder what Cousin Clare would say?" they asked each other.

It was indeed an urgent matter to send some news of their whereabouts to
Cheverley Chase, where their absence must be causing much alarm. While
the landlady, therefore, ordered the tea, Everard went out to the public
telephone, asked for a trunk call, and rang up No. 169 Balderton. He
could hear relief in the voice of old Winder, who answered the
telephone. Everard was not anxious to enter into too many explanations,
so he simply said that they had had a breakdown, told the name of the
town and the hotel where they were staying, and suggested that Milner
should come over next morning to the rescue. On hearing his
Grandfather's voice, he promptly rang off. To-morrow would be quite
time enough, so he felt, for giving the history of their adventure. The
unpleasant interview might just as well be deferred, and h