A Damsel in Distress

He waited a little apprehensively. This was the crucial point in

the interview. If Lord Belpher did not now freeze him with a glance

and order him from the room, the danger would be past, and he could

speak freely. His light blue eyes were expressionless as they met

Percy's, but inwardly he was feeling much the same sensation as he

was wont to experience when the family was in town and he had

managed to slip off to Kempton Park or some other race-course and

put some of his savings on a horse. As he felt when the racing

steeds thundered down the straight, so did he feel now.

Astonishment showed in Lord Belpher's round face. Just as it was

about to be succeeded by indignation, the butler spoke again.

"I am aware, your lordship, that it is not my place to offer

suggestions as to the private and intimate affairs of the family I

'ave the honour to serve, but, if your lordship would consent to

overlook the liberty, I think I could be of 'elp and assistance in

a matter which is causing annoyance and unpleasantness to all."

He invigorated himself with another dip into the waters of memory.

Yes. The young man before him might be Lord Belpher, son of his

employer and heir to all these great estates, but once he had seen

him spanked.

Perhaps Percy also remembered this. Perhaps he merely felt that

Keggs was a faithful old servant and, as such, entitled to thrust

himself into the family affairs. Whatever his reasons, he now

definitely lowered the barrier.

"Well," he said, with a glance at the door to make sure that there

were no witnesses to an act of which the aristocrat in him

disapproved, "go on!"

Keggs breathed freely. The danger-point was past.

"'Aving a natural interest, your lordship," he said, "we of the

Servants' 'All generally manage to become respectfully aware of

whatever 'appens to be transpirin' above stairs. May I say that I

became acquainted at an early stage with the trouble which your

lordship is unfortunately 'aving with a certain party?"

Lord Belpher, although his whole being revolted against what

practically amounted to hobnobbing with a butler, perceived that he

had committed himself to the discussion. It revolted him to think

that these delicate family secrets were the subject of conversation

in menial circles, but it was too late to do anything now. And

such was the whole-heartedness with which he had declared war upon

George Bevan that, at this stage in the proceedings, his chief

emotion was a hope that Keggs might have something sensible to

suggest.