fates....

A moment later, with a self-satisfied grin, I climbed back into the
car, whilst Berry removed his coat with awful deliberation.

Jill was in possession of the paper, so I lighted a cigarette and
turned up Tarbes in the guide-book....

"Just listen to this," said my cousin suddenly.

"_Of the four properties, the villa Irikli is the most notable. A
well-known traveller once styled it 'the fairest jewel in Como's
diadem.' Occupying one of the choicest situations on the famous lake,
surrounded by extensive gardens, the varied beauty of which beggars
description, the palace--for it is nothing less--has probably excited
more envy than any dwelling in Europe...._

"Then it speaks about the house.... Wait a minute.... Here we are

"_The heavily-shaded lawns, stretching to the very edge of the lake,
the magnificent cedars, the sunlit terraces, the cascades, the chestnut
groves, the orange and lemon trellises, the exquisite prospects, go to
the making of a veritable paradise._"

"Doesn't that sound maddening?"

"It does, indeed," I agreed. "Whose is it?"

"I don't know," said Jill absently, staring into the distance. "But I
can just see it all. Fancy living there, and going out before
breakfast over the lawns to bathe..."

Idly I took the paper out of her hand.

From this it appeared that the property had belonged to the Duke of
Padua. Reading further, I found that the latter's whole estate had,
upon his death nine months ago, become the subject of an action at law.
The deceased's legitimacy, it seemed, had been called in question.
To-day the Appeal Court of Italy was to declare the true heir....

As I laid down the sheet--

"Somebody," I said, "will drink champagne to-night."

"Oranges and lemons," murmured Jill. "Cascades...."

A vicious grunt from below and behind suggested that my brother-in-law
was standing no nonsense.

I settled myself in my corner of the car, tilted my hat over my nose,
and closed my eyes....

The sound of voices aroused me.

"...your silly eyes. Didn't you hear me say '_Non_'? _NONG_, man,
_NONG_! You'll strip the blinkin' thread.... Look here...."

"_A-a-ah! Oui, oui, Monsieur. Je comprends, je comprends._"

"You don't listen," said Berry severely. "That's what's the matter
with you. Valuable car like this, too."

Jill buried her face in my sleeve and began to shake with laughter.
"_Alors, en avant, mon brave. Mettez y votre derriere._ Oh, very ho