A Damsel in Distress

"You don't have to tell me that," said George coldly. "I know all

about the sweepstake."

A flicker of embarrassment passed over the butler's large, smooth

face--passed, and was gone.

"I did not know that you 'ad been apprised of that little matter,

sir. But you will doubtless understand and appreciate our point of

view. A little sporting flutter--nothing more--designed to

halleviate the monotony of life in the country."

"Oh, don't apologize," said George, and was reminded of a point

which had exercised him a little from time to time since his vigil

on the balcony. "By the way, if it isn't giving away secrets, who

drew Plummer?"

"Sir?"

"Which of you drew a man named Plummer in the sweep?"

"I rather fancy, sir," Keggs' brow wrinkled in thought, "I rather

fancy it was one of the visiting gentlemen's gentlemen. I gave the

point but slight attention at the time. I did not fancy Mr.

Plummer's chances. It seemed to me that Mr. Plummer was a

negligible quantity."

"Your knowledge of form was sound. Plummer's out!"

"Indeed, sir! An amiable young gentleman, but lacking in many of

the essential qualities. Perhaps he struck you that way, sir?"

"I never met him. Nearly, but not quite!"

"It entered my mind that you might possibly have encountered Mr.

Plummer on the night of the ball, sir."

"Ah, I was wondering if you remembered me!"

"I remember you perfectly, sir, and it was the fact that we had

already met in what one might almost term a social way that

emboldened me to come 'ere today and offer you my services as a

hintermediary, should you feel disposed to avail yourself of them."

George was puzzled.

"Your services?"

"Precisely, sir. I fancy I am in a position to lend you what might

be termed an 'elping 'and."

"But that's remarkably altruistic of you, isn't it?"

"Sir?"

"I say that is very generous of you. Aren't you forgetting that you

drew Mr. Byng?"

The butler smiled indulgently.

"You are not quite abreast of the progress of events, sir. Since

the original drawing of names, there 'as been a trifling

hadjustment. The boy Albert now 'as Mr. Byng and I 'ave you, sir. A

little amicable arrangement informally conducted in the scullery on

the night of the ball."

"Amicable?"

"On my part, entirely so."

George began to understand certain things that had been perplexing

to him.

"Then all this while. . .?"

"Precisely, sir. All this while 'er ladyship, under the impression

that the boy Albert was devoted to 'er cause, has no doubt been

placing a misguided confidence in 'im . . . The little blighter!"

said Keggs, abandoning for a moment his company manners and

permitting vehemence to take the place of polish. "I beg your

pardon for the expression, sir," he added gracefully. "It escaped

me inadvertently."