A Damsel in Distress

Nevertheless, being a determined young man, he did not give in.

Once he lost a shoe, but a little searching recovered that. On

another occasion, a passing dog, seeing things going on in the

ditch which in his opinion should not have been going on--he was a

high-strung dog, unused to coming upon heads moving along the road

without bodies attached--accompanied Percy for over a quarter of a

mile, causing him exquisite discomfort by making sudden runs at his

face. A well-aimed stone settled this little misunderstanding, and

Percy proceeded on his journey alone. He had Maud well in view

when, to his surprise, she left the road and turned into the gate of

a house which stood not far from the church.

Lord Belpher regained the road, and remained there, a puzzled man.

A dreadful thought came to him that he might have had all this

trouble and anguish for no reason. This house bore the unmistakable

stamp of a vicarage. Maud could have no reason that was not

innocent for going there. Had he gone through all this, merely to

see his sister paying a visit to a clergyman? Too late it occurred

to him that she might quite easily be on visiting terms with the

clergy of Little Weeting. He had forgotten that he had been away at

Oxford for many weeks, a period of time in which Maud, finding life

in the country weigh upon her, might easily have interested herself

charitably in the life of this village. He paused irresolutely. He

was baffled.

Maud, meanwhile, had rung the bell. Ever since, looking over her

shoulder, she had perceived her brother Percy dodging about in the

background, her active young mind had been busying itself with

schemes for throwing him off the trail. She must see George that

morning. She could not wait another day before establishing

communication between herself and Geoffrey. But it was not till she

reached Little Weeting that there occurred to her any plan that

promised success.

A trim maid opened the door.

"Is the vicar in?"

"No, miss. He went out half an hour back."

Maud was as baffled for the moment as her brother Percy, now

leaning against the vicarage wall in a state of advanced

exhaustion.

"Oh, dear!" she said.

The maid was sympathetic.

"Mr. Ferguson, the curate, miss, he's here, if he would do."

Maud brightened.

"He would do splendidly. Will you ask him if I can see him for a

moment?"

"Very well, miss. What name, please?"

"He won't know my name. Will you please tell him that a lady wishes

to see him?"

"Yes, miss. Won't you step in?"