He stood in the roadway, looking around for some inanimate thing upon which he might vent his anger, when the sound of hoofs coming toward him distracted him. He glanced over his shoulder... and his knees all but gave way under him. Caught! The rider was none other than his sister Nancy! It was all over now, for a certainty. He knew it; he had about one minute to live. She was too near, so he dared not fly. Then a brilliant inspiration came to him. He quickly passed his hand over his face. The disguise was complete. Vidocq's wonderful eye could not have penetrated to the flesh. "James!" Miss Annesley was standing on the veranda. "Take charge of the horse. Nancy, dear, I am so glad to see you!" James was anything but glad. "Betty, good gracious, whatever is the matter with this fellow? Has he the black plague? Ugh!" She slid from the saddle unaided. James stolidly took the reins. "The kitchen stove-pipe fell down," Betty replied, "and James stood in the immediate vicinity of it." The two girls laughed joyously, but James did not even smile. He had half a notion to kiss Nancy, as he had planned to do that memorable night of the ball at the British embassy. But even as the notion came to him, Nancy had climbed up the steps and was out of harm's way. "James," said Miss Annesley, "go and wash your face at once." "Yes, Miss." At the sound of his voice Nancy turned swiftly; but the groom had presented his back and was leading the horse to the stables. Nancy would never tell me the substance of her conversation with Miss Annesley that afternoon, but I am conceited enough to believe that a certain absent gentleman was the main topic. When she left, it was William who led out the horse. He explained that James was still engaged with soap and water and pumice-stone. Miss Annesley's laughter rang out heartily, and Nancy could not help joining her. "And have you heard from that younger brother of yours?" Betty asked, as her friend settled herself in the saddle. "Not a line, Betty, not a line; and I had set my heart on your meeting him. I do not know where he is, or when he will be back." "Perhaps he is in quest of adventures." "He is in Canada, hunting caribou." "You don't tell me!" "What a handsome girl you are, Betty!"--admiringly. "What a handsome girl you are, Nancy!" mimicked the girl on the veranda. "If your brother is only half as handsome, I do not know whatever will become of this heart of mine when we finally meet." She smiled and drolly placed her hands on her heart. "Don't look so disappointed, Nan; perhaps we may yet meet. I have an idea that he will prove interesting and entertaining;"--and she laughed again. "Whoa, Dandy! What _are_ you laughing at?" demanded Nancy. "I was thinking of James and his soap and water and pumice-stone. That was all, dear. Saturday afternoon, then, we shall ride to the club and have tea. Good-by, and remember me to the baby." "Good-by!"--and Nancy cantered away.