Well, it was about the chauffeur. You see, she was spending the summer here in the chateau. Yes, the chateau above us, white on the hillside. She and a companion--a girl--alone, with a household of their own, very happy, very comfortable... "We are really, you know. Don't think we're suffragists. Truth is, I'd got about sick of men, and thought I'd take a rest. I heard of this old place to be let furnished, came to see if it was half as nice as it sounded, and never even went back to England to collect Betty. Just couldn't leave it. Betty followed post-haste with the servants and heavy luggage, and--and--" "And the parrot?" I hazarded. "No. Oh, the linen and everything. I'd got the car with me. We've been here nearly two months now, and I love it more every day. Don't miss men a bit, either." This last in an inimitable tone, half nonchalant, half defiant. "I expect they do most of the missing." "Thanks, awfully. However, I may tell you the family's been rather narky--" "I beg your pardon?" "Narky. Like a nark." "Of course. How stupid of me! Same root as 'snirksome.' As you were." "Well, rather ratty about it all. Said it was all ridiculous and unheard of." "Did they use the word 'proceeding'?" "They did." "Ah!" "The one thing that sort of stopped them from really doing anything was the fact that Betty was with me. Betty's dear, and they all know it. And her being here, I suppose, seemed to save it from being what's called an 'impossible position.' Well, a week ago comes a letter from the Brethes--that's my uncle and aunt--saying they're motoring through Austria to Italy, and are going to stay a night at Laipnik on the way. Would like to run over and see me, as they understand Savavic--that's me--is only thirty miles away. All very nice." "Sweet of them." I agreed. "Isn't it! Only, three days ago Betty gets a wire to say her mother's ill, and she has to bolt for the night train to Paris." "Yes. So that uncle dear mustn't come to Savavic at any price. If he does, Betty's absence becomes apparent, and the good old 'impossible position' arises at once. Consequently, I send a nice letter to the one hotel at Laipnik 'to await arrival,' saying the road's so bad and hard to find that I'll come over to them instead of their coming here." "Much as you would have loved them to see Savavic." "Exactly. You're rather intelligent." "Oh, I'm often like that. It's in the blood. Grandpa got his B.A.," I explained. "We've loaned his hood to the Wallace Collection. Go on." "Well, that all sounds very nice and easy, doesn't it? Then, to put the lid on, my chauffeur breaks his arm yesterday afternoon." "And the uncle's due when?" "Slept at Laipnik last night. I was to have lunched with them to-day. Oh, the fat's in the fire all right this time. I may expect them any time after three." I reflected a moment. Then: "I'll drive you to Laipnik," said I. "I'm as safe as a house at the wheel."