The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-05-04
CHAPTER I.
The Hired Car.

Derby Day fell that year on the
first Wednesday in June. London
was agog over its annual holiday.
Young Lord Medenham's Mer-
curry 3S. occupied by himself and
his chauffeur Dale, stopped in
Curzon street. opposite a house
gay with flowers In window boxes.
The viscount looked at his watch.
He seemed to thing his aunt,
Lady st. Maur would be waiting
for him on the doorstep. AS no
matronly figVe materialized, he
alighted and disappeared inside
the house.
Presently his lordship came out
= alone.
Mice thing!" he said. Her
ladyship Is in bed with her an
nual bilious attack. No races for
her this day"
Medenham had no liking for a
lonely ride in the tonneau, so he
took the wheel.
A man driving a high powered
car watches the incidents of the
road. Hence, his lordship's at
tention was caught by a touring
car drawn up close to the curb
in Down street.
1t required no second look at
the face of the driver of the mo-
tionless car to discover that some
thing was seriously amiss.
Medenham never passed an
90 In ~ x.ytt hnt ~
stopping.
Can | help?"
Can you hi" came the sur
ly response.
Medenham scrutinized the sol
dierly figure.
"You must be hard hit, Sim
monds, before you would answer
me in that fashion," said he
quietly.
Simmonds jumped.
81 beg your lordship's pardon
i hadn't the least notion"
These two had not met since
they discussed Boer trenches and
British generals during a mo-
mentary halt on the Tugela slope
of Spion Kop.
Il have seen you look far less
worried under a plunging fire.
Medenham said cheerily. Nov
what is it,"
81 was run into by a van.
can claim damages right enough
It's the delay I'm jibbing at. This
accident may cost me three hun
bred pounds, and a business Of
my own into the bargain.
This is my own car, my
lord" he went on. early in the
spring l fell in with rich Amer
lean. He offered me three hun
bred pounds for three months
contract. Straightaway l bought
this car. Now the same gentle
man writes from Paris l am tt
take his daughter and another
lady on a thousand miles run fol-
ten days"
But the ladies will be reason
able when you explain matters
Ladies are never reasonable
my lord, and Miss Vanrenen has
planned this tour to the last min
ute"
"Simmonds, are you afraid tt
face this young lady?"
mo. my lord. But Miss Van
renen will lose all confidence In
me. The arrangement was that
today's spin should be short
one-to Brighton. Miss VanreneI
will be horribly disappointed"
What time are you due?"
1--WE were to start at twelve
O'Clock, but the ladies' luggage
had to be strapped on, and"
"Ah. the deuce! That sounds
formidable"
''Of course they must stow ev'
erything into the canvas trunks
supplied, my lord"
Medenham examined the screws
- which fastened an iron grid at the
back of the broken-down We.
hicle.
"Whip-open the tool box, Dale
and transfer that arrangement &c
my car" he said briskly. Sim
monds, give me the route and
hand over your road maps.
mean to take your place until
your car is put right. Wire me
where to expect you. Where can
buy a chauffeur's kit?"
Half an hour later Medenham,
standing by the side of his car,
was watching other motors in the
Savoy hotel court yard when a
voice, apparently at his elbow,
complained that its owner could
not see Simmonds anywhere. He
turned instantly. A girl wearing
a dust-cloak and moter-veil was