trol-tank and the gear-box--"

"But I do. Petrol in one, tools in the other. However."

"Jonah's right," said Daphne. "We'd better stop at Steeple."

"Not I." said I.

"Nor me," said Jill. "Boy and I'll come back to our dear Fallow and
our nice big grate and our own beds."

"Good little girl," said I. Berry emptied his mouth and began to
recite "Excelsior."

At twenty minutes past three the next morning I drove out of the
courtyard of 'The Three Bulls', Steeple Abbas. Alone, too, for it had
begun to snow again, and although I was determined to sleep that night,
or what remained of it, at Fallow, I would not take Jill with me for
such an ugly run. As a matter of fact, I had started once with her in
the car, but before we had got clear of the town, I had turned about
and driven her back to the inn. The people had evidently half expected
her back, for, as we stopped at the door, it was flung open and the
landlord stood ready to welcome her in. The next moment I was once
more on my way. In spite of the weather, the car went well, and I had
soon covered more than half the distance. I was just about to emerge
from a side-road on to the main highway, when a dark mass right on the
opposite corner against the hedgerow attracted my attention. The next
second my head-lights showed what it was, and I slowed down. A great
limousine, if you please, standing at an angle of twenty degrees, its
near front wheel obviously well up the bank, and the whole car sunk in
a drift of snow some four or five feet deep. All its lights were out,
and fresh snow was beginning to gather on the top against the luggage
rail.

I stopped, took out one of my side oil lamps, and, getting out of the
car, advanced to the edge of the drift, holding the light above my
head. The limousine was evidently a derelict.

"You look just like a picture I've seen somewhere," said a gentle voice.

"And you've got a voice just like a dream I've dreamed some time or
other. Isn't that strange? And now, who, what, where, why, and how
are you? Are you the goddess in the car, or the woman in the case?
And may I wish you a very happy New Year? I said it first."

"Try the woman in the car."

"One moment," said I. "I know."

"What?"

"I know who you are. Just fancy."

"Who am I?

"Why, you're New Year's Eve."

A little laugh answered me.

"I know I've dreamed that laugh," said I. "However, where were we?
Oh, I know. And your father, C