pay for. Cavalry charges in Buckingham Palace Road cost a bit."

An appreciative audience grinned at the official humor. But Royson was
listening to the somewhat lively conversation taking place behind him.

"Are you injured in any way?" cried the gentleman in the far coat,
obviously addressing the lady in the victoria. The too accurate cadence
in his words bespoke the foreigner, the man who has what is called "a
perfect command" of English.

"Not in the least, thank you," was the answer. The voice was clear,
musical, well-bred, and decidedly chilling. The two concluding words
really meant "no thanks to you," The lady was, however, quite self-
possessed, and, as a consequence, polite.

"But why in the world did you not jump out when I shouted to you?"
demanded the man.

"Because you threw your half of the rug over my feet, and thus hindered
me."

"Did I? Ach, Gott! Do you think I deserted you, then?"

"No, no, I did not mean that, Baron von Kerber. The affair was an
accident, and you naturally thought I would follow your example, I did
try, twice, to spring clear, but I lost my balance each time. We have
no cause to blame one another. My view is that Spong was caught
napping. Instead of arguing about things we might have done, we really
ought to thank this gentleman, who prevented any further developments
in some wonderful way not quite known to me yet."