"We were just looking for you, daddy," she called a little
breathlessly. "This gentleman is cycling to Bordeaux and has run
out of petrol. He asked me if there was any to be had hereabouts,
so I told him you could give him some."

The newcomer honored Merriman with a rapid though searching and
suspicious glance, but he replied politely, and in a cultured voice:

"Quite right, my dear." He turned to Merriman and spoke in French.
"I shall be very pleased to supply you, monsieur. How much do you
want?"

"Thanks awfully, sir," Merriman answered in his own language. "I'm
English. It's very good of you, I'm sure, and I'm sorry to be
giving so much trouble. A liter should run me to Bordeaux, or say
a little more in case of accidents."

"I'll give you two liters. It's no trouble at all." He turned
and spoke in rapid French to the driver.

"Oui, monsieur," the man replied, and then, stepping up to his chief,
he said something in a low voice. The other started slightly, for
a moment looked concerned, then instantly recovering himself,
advanced to Merriman.

"Henri, here, will send a man with a two-liter can to where you
have left your machine," he said, then continued with a suave smile:

"And so, sir, you're English? It is not often that we have the