however, was wrong. So much our instinct reported. Our reason refused to believe it, and, with one consent, we pretended that al

cigarette. Then I handed the case to Berry. T

ll in an incinerator, if the wind's the right way, b

se and slid it

aid, "that I'm nearin

," said Adèle. "How you can go on at all,

ered at t

omestica imbedded in the vegetation which I had been proposing to smoke. This was too much for the girls, none of whom had since touched a cigarette, and when my brother-in-law suggested that the fly had pro

in a b

he French mails, brought the cost of procuring supplies from England to a figure we could not stomach: attempts at postal smuggling had ended in humiliating failure: the wares which France herself was offering were not at

icence to import," I said he

ad some news for you. I heard from George this morning. I admit I don't oft

of duty, eleven hundred and sixty-five by way of freight, and another three francs forty for every day they remained in the Custom House. In this connection, they begged to point out that they had already lain there for six weeks. Friend, can you beat it? But what, then, did I do? Why, I took appropriate action. I wrote at once, saying that, as I was shortly leaving for New York, I should be obliged if they would forward them via Liverpool to the Piraeus: I inquired whether they had any objection to being paid in roubles: and I advised them t

garette and stared

pleases,'" I murmured, "

said Adèle, "is to hav

time, and ration yo

hook hi

rry a flask or a bottle of beer in your hip-pocket-more's the pity. But nobody's equipment is complete without a case or a pouch. Why? So that the moment this particular appetite asserts itself, it can be gratified. No. Smoking's a vice; and as soo

a hand up

car arrives before you've fini

istance. Oh, and ask approaching pedestrians to keep on the grass. Sh

e perfection of the air. A furlong away, Daphne, Jill, and Jonah were playing tennis, with Piers

boulevard: there are no gusts to buffet you at corners: there are no draughts in the streets. The flow of sweet fresh air is rich and steady, but it is never stirred. A mile away you may see dust flying; storm and tempest savage the Pyrenees: upon the gentlest day fidgety puffs fret Biarritz, as puppies plague an old hound. But Pau is sanctuary. Once in a long, long while some errant blast blunders into the town. Then, fo

le suddenly. "But I thin

re you?

le. "He kisses Daphne's

ll

said I. "You don't k

runted Berry. "A well

of Italy. He's Eng

ut if they've been Italian dukes for two centuries, it's just possible that they've imbibed something

't he kiss my ha

's very punctilious-he probably thinks that a quond

le. "I should just l

oss at my br

t?" I inquired.

ugged his

ot to marry y

" said Adèle. "Y

ry. "Why, I fairly spread myself

honest, sober,

e, but-- Besides, you were so precipitate. You had an answer for everything. When I spok

er all, he's very convenient. If we hadn't got married, I shouldn't have wi

omething in that." He nodded in my d

k of," said Adèl

The vibration was fearful. We h

said my wife. "Indeed, as husban

n to say you s

elieve

think of a bullock trying to pass through a turnstile. And why 'as husbands go'

the sweetest of all. It's the tragedy of every happy marriage that, when comradeship comes in at the door, ceremony flies out of the window

only smiled.... We retired there and then, ceremoniously enough, to dress for dinner. I'd bathed and changed and got as far as my collar, when the stud fell down my back. I pinched it between my shoulder-blades. At that moment she came to the door to see if I was r

ay in which he solemnly takes us all for granted is most attractive. He's as natural as a baby a year old. He just bows very courteously and then joins in the game. The moment it

ble," said I. "And I do

same, I'

ly, pointing across the law

the ornamental water

ge upon the o

dog." Nobby shook himself gleefully. "No, don'

w my stick for him to retrieve. As this left my hand, the h

ark-keeper arrived-a crabbed gentleman, in

ut it was shameful. That hounds should march unled in the Parc Beaumont was forbidden-absolutely. Not for them to uproot were the trees and flowe

is small frame quivering with excitement, his bright brown e

note from

is distant, and I was to have driven. Now he is wet and must grow dry, so I must walk. I will think o

sorry to think ..." Nobby started towards him and moved his tail. "See how he understands. He has the eyes of a dove." He stooped to caress his protégé. "Ah, but you are cold, my beauty. Unleash him, Monsieur, I pray you, that he

far as personal magnetism was concerned, between Nobby and the Duke of Padua there seemed to be little to choose. To judge by resul

Daphne, who loathes mechanics, was seated in the latter conveyance, submitting zealously to an oral examination by Piers

distributed them accordingly. "Fitch brought them up on his bicycle. And Piers' aunt is

ulate me. Having tramped the town al

hy

ted to

y warm hims

gave a hor

e only washed h

ers. "I'd like to. And yo

my head,

he's had his scolding, and if I deserted him he

ut

his arm, "rather than risk hurting that white s

on forthwith. After spending a quarter of an hour in an overheated office in New Square, Lincoln's Inn, in the course of w

ll soon be back again. I shall go with yo

ntinuous travelling for nearly thirty hours each way, and that my sister cannot

won't hear of it. However, we'll argue it

o?" said Jo

get out

e you my tobacconist's address. The best way will b

a pregna

h

ried exultan

mean-'Saved'

ummons of yours is a godsend. With a little ingenuity,

*

very day, we indemnified him against fines, we entreated, we flattered, we cajoled, we appealed to him "as a sportsman," we said it was "only right," we looked unutterable things, and at last, half an hour before it was time for him to start for the station, he promised, with many misgivings and expre

sister to accompany him, but we all we

pacing th

t the list?"

had been asked bef

dy asks me again, I shall produce it and

sake, don't lose it,

close it in a note to the Customs, telling them to expect me on Saturday, disguised in a flat 'at and a bag of gooseberri

red to smoo

e should be any-that is-what I me

ghed hyst

Such as whether they can give me more th

ick. He knows the President pe

t precious life.... If Berwick wasn't in Paris, I wouldn

ng with you," sai

ook off

rt. "I wish I could put the tobacco in the same poor place. But tha

king who hadn't been a cou

*

noon that Adèle, who was brushi

comes the Duchess of Padua

there yet

he

was using a figure of speech, whic

Indian tailor who was given a coat to copy and reproduced a tear in

ou hear what the woman said? That we, who have founded precedents

lsh," sa

defiled the Well of English? And now

of the window and

merican.... And when you said 'Yes,' I asked you why.... Do you remember your

of your little red tongue to make it pure. You've only to put your lips to it to make it the sweetest mus

d you hear what the man said? A real courtier's speech!

picked her up, and sw

sed her sw

my wife address

elievedly. "He is a king, after all

down by

ried a voice. "Love to. Wou

Jill sp

at the open window. She could not have h

I sat ve

ow," said P

do," said Jill. "I'd-Pie

g," sai

ou know there is. I can see it in yo

now," stamme

tell you everything. Once or twice lately you've got all quiet

aughed

vens, no,

hy is it

t there was

the sluice-gate of

me to Pau. I wanted to get to know you. I felt I must. And, whenever you all went out, I followed in the two-seater. And then-I got to know you-at St. Bertrand-that wonderful, wonderful day.... I-was-so-awfully-happy.... And now"-his voice sank to a wail-"I wish I hadn't. If only I'd stopped to think.... But I didn't. I just knew I wanted to be with you, and that was all. Oh," he burst out suddenly, "why did I ever do it? Why did I ever follow you-that wonderful day? If I'd dreamed how miserable it'd make me, how miserably wretched I'd be... It's the dreadf

upon the gravel

ar's doo

two-seater purred its

ontinued to s

ed to her and ra

red. "Hopelessness? What

ed her shoulde

d a finger u

ed obe

*

heart's misfiring, I'm over at the knees, and with the

chair and cover

following Berry into her room, any more than had the fact that no one of us was ready for breakfast. I had no coat or waistcoat: so far as could be seen, Jonah was attired in a Burberry and a pair of t

iced our

ve got th

bear it. I'll tell you all in a minute, but you must let me alone.

hed he

ur, Nobby approached, set his paws

not a sore, old chap. It's where I cut myself yesterday. But I'm just as grateful. And now lie still

six pounds of tobacco looked very well in it. My sword, a pair of field boots, breeches, coat-carefully folded to display the staff badges-and my red hat looked even better. I filled up with socks, shirts, pu

omfiture of the wicked, the

e up and corded it, and precisely

a barrel of whiskey on a lead. I felt ready for anything. Sharp at a quarter to eleven I was at the station, and one

took a toss, conveys nothing at all. It was the sort of fall you dream of-almost too good to be true. And my uniform-case, of which he never le

hole thing didn't melt then and there. If I hadn't corded it, mos

l, I carried through the registration like a man in a dream, and I tipped everybody I could see. It was as I was thrusting blindly towards the gat

are times when you have to be told r

he gate next to mine. The porters about it were sneezing bitterly. 'Snu

r not I am unable to say, but the impression that my

genial fool upon the opposite side of the table asked me if I had 'witnessed the comedy at Victoria.' Icily I inquired: 'What comedy?' He explained offensively that 'some cuckoo had tried the old wheeze of stuffing pepper in his trunk to put off the Customs,' and that the intended deterrent had untimely

ne's words were like a spur. I becam

o be consistent with life itself. By way of diverting suspicion, I asked one of the crew what was the matter. His blas

is, I hurried on

efore: I'd been murmuring it all day long: and now, at the critical moment, it had deserted me. I clasped my head in my hands and thought like a madman. Nothing doing. I thought all round it, of course. I thought of candles and camphor and dusk. M

tting me straight. 'But I was meaning the fleas. Oh, indubitably. Animals most gross. Only last November he himself....' It took quite a lot of persuasion to get him off fleas. Then he offered me lice. I managed to make him understand th

he baggage-room, I'm hanged if I know; but I remember standing there, shivering a

oming for about a

hich accompanied the arrival of the cortege was simply ear-splitting. I was in the very act of wondering whether, if I deci

fficial, who was plumbing the depths of a basket-trunk, turned innocently enough to see the case smoking at his elbow, dropped his cigar into some blouses, let out the scr

evably ruined. Gradually curiosity displaced alarm, and people began to return. I yelled and stamped more than ever. I denounced the French railways, I demanded the station-master, I swore I'd have damages, I tore off the cords, I lifted the lid, I alternatel

ng. I could see the shape of a cigarette-box under one of my shirts. Of course I argued a bit, for the look of the thing, but eventually I allowed myself to be persuaded and shoved the kit ba

s thr

d lobster á la Newburg. I have slept better. I was sleeping better at half-past eight the next mo

fter a bit I began to wonder what, in the name of Heaven, I was to do. I was afraid to get up, and I was afraid to stay in bed. I was afraid to stop in the hotel, and I was terrified of meeting the official downstairs. I was afraid to leave the case there, and I was still more afraid to take it away. I was getting hung

collar, the telephone w

med the rec

t I felt like Church, but it was the first place I could think of. Somebody shouted after me, but-well, you know how they drive in Paris. I stopped round the second corner, discharged the taxi, and walked to a restaurant. By rights, I should have been ravenous. As it was, the food stuck in my throat. A bottle of lime-juice, however, pulled me together. After luncheon I went to a cinema-I had to do something.

drove up and down the Champs Elysêes. I only hope the driver enjoyed it more than

lift. As this ascended, a page arrived at the ga

e and knocked at the door. Of my wisdom I hadn't bolted it, so, after waiting a little, t

ttle my bill. Mercifully, the clerk who had stopped me in the morning was off duty. I could have squealed with delight. I paid my

the wagon lit it was t

that, after all, the last thirty hours of my life had been rich with valuable experience. Smilingly I decided not to regret them. When I thought of the scen

recital and buried h

ent it snapped. In a blinding flash I saw what a fool I'd been. If I'd only stayed on the platform, if I'd only gone into the restauran

... Don't ask me what he said, because I didn't hear. When the rope's round your neck, you're apt to miss the subtleties of the hangman's charge. A

r baggage was injured. It is a misfortune frightful. He cannot think how it has occurred. But to complain-no. I will tell Monsieur the truth. Twice in the last half-year an English officer's bagga

s mer

y and swore haltingly t

, and he got out as th

s lovely. But I couldn't enjoy it. My spirits failed to respond." He

ell, No

the fool at h

, he would no

wind up me

a moment

my brother-in-law and

frankly I couldn't have done it. I wouldn't have

we endorsed

owledgment the

ight's rest. By mid-day to-morrow you

l sit at my feet as a hostage against your careless negotiation of gradients." He drew a key from his pocket and pitched it on to a table. "I fancy," he added,

a rush for

he uniform-cas

its cords off in

ken and some khak

too stiff for her fingers, so after a despera

two minutes we sent

ed, Berry appeare

t he stared

box with, if you don't like the look of the key. You know, you're thwart

ce was nev

nds he plucked at a Jaeger rug, reposing, carefully folded, upon the top of s

he shrieked. "It's

*

t, inviting us all to tea, we accepted, not because we felt inc

t the station, waiting to be claimed. Yet we dared not inquire, because of what our inquiries might bring forth. Of course the authorities might be totally ignorant of its contents. But then, again, they might not. It was a risk we could not take. The chance that, by identifying our property, we might be at once accusing and convicting ourselves of smuggling a very large quantity of tobacco,

is absence to heart. She mourned openly. She missed her playfellow bitterly, and said as much. And when three days had gone by and the last post had brought no word of him, she burst into tears. The next m

ting to take us to tea with Mrs. Waterbrook, my cousin leaned

cried, "I'm

, we stared

cried Daphne.

ped her s

he asks after me, say I'm awfully well, but I fe

hirled, and

while we others climbed into the cars, Jill twitched a lead from the rack and took her stand upon the steps, with Nobby le

ok was perfec

e rose from a little bureau-a tall, graceful figure,

alled upon you, but I'm lazy by nature, and my car won't be here till to-morrow. And now I must thank you for being so kind to Piers. He ought to be here, of course. But where he is, I don't know. I've hardly seen him since I arrived. He seems to

tes Jonah and Daphne were by her side upon the sofa, Adèle was upon the hearth at their feet. Berry was leaning against

" I concluded. "I take

e airs and grac

The blood's pure English, although the title's Italian. The fief of the duchy goes with it. They were given to Piers' great-grandfather-he was a diplomat-for services rendered. A recent

on't think she will to-day. She's a wayward chil

and chocolat

s me of grocer's port. I won't touch it myself, and I haven't the face to offer it to my guests. I usually bring some from England; but

ven up tea. Up to last week, I clung to a cu

in. Ten minutes after she'd swallowed it, sh

can't drink French tea and be resigned. Now,

pointed to an old china box and

was a confidence in her tone that set my nerves tingling. It was, I felt sure, no "grocer's port" that she wa

ox to Daphne, I strov

Mrs. Waterbrook, "there are some in

Oh-er-thanks very much

out a cigar

I took one without looking, and stared back. Instantly their eyes shifted to the cigarette in my ha

erry, to see him regarding h

m, I heard J

t. A particularly cherished friend, who was to furnish us all with tobacco for several months, disappeared i

and closed her mo

h

ly, "what was your-er-

arted to

shouted, "tied up with

interrupted hi

om," she wailed. "By t

much to hope that

we sc

tiful China tea. Thirty-five po

ed his eye

id, "to go further than the

*

donably bewildered, at the two smugglers, who were saluting one another respectively with a profound curtsey

was flung open, and a

sel," he

w, pleasedly luggin

. "My dear.... Mrs. Water

's not Mi

Piers

ord we turne

ched, the boy was

ment nob

orward and caught J

d. "Jill, you're

," said Ji

married to Boy. I thou

Man

eproachfully. "And she's

red at Ji

lly." A wonderful smile came tearing to light his fac

, was love so

en her eyes fell, and an exquisite

hen he let fall her fingers and t

e, my cousin advanced to her

awfully late," s

ok stooped an

aid softly, "it was