The girl spoke. "Thank you," she said in a low voice almost inaudible. George walked away. The grease-streaked young man followed him with his gaze. "Civil cove, that," he said. "Rather gushing though, what? American, wasn't he?" "Yes. I think he was." "Americans are the civillest coves I ever struck. I remember asking the way of a chappie at Baltimore a couple of years ago when I was there in my yacht, and he followed me for miles, shrieking advice and encouragement. I thought it deuced civil of him." "I wish you would hurry up and get the car right, Reggie. We shall be awfully late for lunch." Reggie Byng began to slide backwards under the car. "All right, dear heart. Rely on me. It's something quite simple." "Well, do be quick." "Imitation of greased lightning--very difficult," said Reggie encouragingly. "Be patient. Try and amuse yourself somehow. Ask yourself a riddle. Tell yourself a few anecdotes. I'll be with you in a moment. I say, I wonder what the cove is doing at Belpher? Deuced civil cove," said Reggie approvingly. "I liked him. And now, business of repairing breakdown." His smiling face vanished under the car like the Cheshire cat. Maud stood looking thoughtfully down the road in the direction in which George had disappeared. CHAPTER 8. The following day was a Thursday and on Thursdays, as has been stated, Belpher Castle was thrown open to the general public between the hours of two and four. It was a tradition of long standing, this periodical lowering of the barriers, and had always been faithfully observed by Lord Marshmoreton ever since his accession to the title. By the permanent occupants of the castle the day was regarded with mixed feelings. Lord Belpher, while approving of it in theory, as he did of all the family traditions--for he was a great supporter of all things feudal, and took his position as one of the hereditary