I felt completely at my wit's end! I saw the whole of my little scheme, which up to now had proved so successful, threatened with instant destruction. Lady Enterdean passed on, probably to take some one else into her confidence. I crossed the room to the little group surrounding my friend, and as soon as I got near him I touched him on the shoulder. "Just one word with you, Mr. Bundercombe," I begged. The little circle of men let him through with reluctance. I passed my arm through his and led him out toward the foyer. "You seem," I declared bitterly, "to have chosen the most unfortunate personality! I wish to goodness you had remained Mr. Parker! This infernal name of yours, Bundercombe, has got us into trouble." "In what way?" he asked quickly. "Lady Enterdean has just been to me," I told him. "She has a son who has been traveling in the States and who was wonderfully entertained by two people of the name of Bundercombe in the very place you told me to say you came from." "Well, that goes all right!" Mr. Parker remarked complacently. "We're getting the credit for it." "Precisely," I admitted. "The only trouble is that Lady Enterdean has just telephoned to her son to come down at once and renew his acquaintance with you and Eve." Mr. Parker whistled softly. His face had become a blank. "My! We do seem to be up against it!" he confessed uneasily. "The young man," I continued, "will be here in ten minutes--perhaps sooner--prepared to grasp you both by the hand and exchange reminiscences." Mr. Parker shook out a white silk handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his forehead. "Kind of warm out here!" he remarked. "I'll just have to talk to Eve for a minute or two." He had no sooner left me than I found I was absolutely compelled to devote myself to one or two of my guests who wished to play bridge, and others of whom I had seen little at dinner time. I kept looking anxiously round and at last the blow fell! The door opened and Lord Reginald Sidley was announced. He looked eagerly round the room. "Hope you don't mind my butting in, old chap!" he said as he shook hands with me. "The mater telephoned that old Bundercombe and his daughter were here, so I just rushed round as quick as I could. Regular bricks they were to me out West! I don't see them anywhere." I glanced round the room. Just at that moment a waiter from the restaurant presented himself. He brought me a card upon a salver. "The gentleman asked me to give you this, sir," he announced. I picked it up. On the back of a plain visiting card were a few hasty words, scrawled in pencil: "So sorry--but Eve is not feeling quite herself and begged me to take her home at once quietly. My respects and apologies to you and all your delightful guests." I read it out and passed it to Reggie. His face fell. "If that isn't a sell!" he exclaimed. "Fancy your knowing them! Isn't Miss Bundercombe a topper!"