"Is this splendid machine ruined?"

He shrugged. "That's the curse of these roads. Somebody is always
driving recklessly." Lorelei smiled at memory of the miles they
had covered so swiftly; but she saw that he was serious and in a
sour temper. "One risks his life on the whim of some drunken idiot
the moment he enters a motor-car. Now for a telephone." A terse
question to his man served to fix their location.

"We're not far from the Chateau," Merkle interpreted the answer.
"That place is always open, so if you don't mind the walk we'll go
ahead. It will take an hour to get one of my other machines, but
meanwhile we can have a bite to eat." At her cheerful acceptance
his tone changed.

"You're all right. Some women would be hysterical after such a
shake-up. I swear, I think I feel it more than you. If you were a
man I'd like to have you for a chum."

Together they set out through the starlight, leaving the chauffeur
with instructions to secure help from the nearest garage; and as
they followed the dim road Merkle continued to apologize until
Lorelei silenced him. Both were beginning to suffer from the
reaction of their fright.

It was very late; there was little sign of habitation, for the
road led through a wooded country. Before long, however, they came
in sight of lights, which Merkle hailed with relief.