The man retreated before him, and Sammy fled. "Right 'o," said the former. "You've had your choice. It's plank and skilly for you now. Get up, Sammy." He bundled his friend into his seat, himself followed, let in the clutch, and they disappeared. "Oh, I'm so sorry," said the girl. "Please don't worry about it," replied Cunningham. "The whole thing is the result of my own folly. It serves me jolly well right if I suffer for it." "Hadn't you better try to escape now?" she asked, only remembering his protection of her. Cunningham shook his head. "I think not," he replied. "It's probably all a ruse on his part to get me away. Then he might return and--and annoy you." Lady Eva was silent. "By George, sir," said the Earl, "I like your spirit. What the deuce do you want with that peppercorn and shoe? Give me 'em back and I'll say no more about it all." Cunningham smiled a little sadly. "I'm afraid I can't. But you shall have them on the morning of the 29th without fail. Perhaps you'll believe me now." Then, after a pause, he added: "I'll make a dash for it if they aren't back in a quarter of an hour. In that case, I shall conclude that they really have gone to give the alarm." The minutes passed. Lady Eva bit her lips in thought. Cunningham looked alternately from her to Betelgeuse and the moon. The peer stared stolidly into space. "Look here," said Cunningham suddenly. "Aren't we wasting time? Why wait for assistance? I think I can put on a new tyre, if you will allow me. Where are your spare tubes and covers, and your jack?" His lordship accepted the offer with alacrity, and the two men were soon busy round the wheel. Cunningham ceased work for a moment to take Lady Eva her furs, and assist her into them. She sat down on a tree stump, holding the remaining lamp, and turning its light on the work. She did this mechanically. All the while she was thinking gravely. Suddenly a smile passed over her face, and she nodded approvingly. The men were so busy that they did not pause at the sound of the returning car. Sammy's friend was better than his word. They had barely been gone fifteen minutes. "That's the highwayman--that young feller. Arrest him for robbery!" shouted the motorist, as he brought his car to a standstill, and a policeman sprang down. "Is that the charge, sir?" said the policeman to Lord Tadcaster. What the Earl would have replied is uncertain, for before he could answer Lady Eva had intervened. "Robbery! What in the world do you mean?" she cried, standing up, and flashing the light on the policeman. "That gentleman has taken me off my beat to arrest a man for highway robbery." "That gentleman is mistaken," replied the girl. "We've had a breakdown. Surely that is the person who promised to send assistance from Harrogate. We want a repairer, not a policeman." "Don't you believe her!" cried the motorist. "Ask the old 'un." "Is that so, sir?" inquired the officer.