We were approaching the two automobiles now, and, looking back, I saw Mr and Mrs Ford walking up the drive. Sam followed my gaze, and I heard him chuckle. 'It's all right,' he said. 'They've fixed it up. Something in the way they're walking tells me they've fixed it up.' Mrs Drassilis was still sitting in the red automobile, looking piqued but resigned. Mrs Ford addressed her. 'I shall have to leave you, Mrs Drassilis,' she said. 'Tell Jarvis to drive you wherever you want to go. I am going with my husband to see my boy Oggie.' She stretched out a hand towards the millionaire. He caught it in his, and they stood there, smiling foolishly at each other, while Sam, almost purring, brooded over them like a stout fairy queen. The two chauffeurs looked on woodenly. Mr Ford released his wife's hand and turned to Sam. 'Fisher.' 'Sir?' 'I've been considering your proposition. There's a string tied to it.' 'Oh no, sir, I assure you!' 'There is. What guarantee have I that you won't double-cross me?' Sam smiled, relieved. 'You forget that I told you I was about to be married, sir. My wife won't let me!' Mr Ford waved his hand towards the automobile. 'Jump in,' he said briefly, 'and tell him where to drive to. You're engaged!' Chapter 18 'No manners!' said Mrs Drassilis. 'None whatever. I always said so.' She spoke bitterly. She was following the automobile with an offended eye as it moved down the drive. The car rounded the corner. Sam turned and waved a farewell. Mr and Mrs Ford, seated close together in the tonneau, did not even look round. Mrs Drassilis sniffed disgustedly. 'She's a friend of Cynthia's. Cynthia asked me to come down here with her to see you. I came, to oblige her. And now, without a word of apology, she leaves me stranded. She has no manners whatever.' I offered no defence of the absent one. The verdict more or less squared with my own opinion. 'Is Cynthia back in England?' I asked, to change the subject. 'The yacht got back yesterday. Peter, I have something of the utmost importance to speak to you about.' She glanced at Jarvis the chauffeur, leaning back in his seat with the air, peculiar to chauffeurs in repose, of being stuffed. 'Walk down the drive with me.' I helped her out of the car, and we set off in silence. There was a suppressed excitement in my companion's manner which interested me, and something furtive which brought back all my old dislike of her. I could not imagine what she could have to say to me that had brought her all these miles. 'How _do_ you come to be down here?' she said. 'When Cynthia told me you were here, I could hardly believe her. Why are you a master at this school? I cannot understand it!' 'What did you want to see me about?' I asked.