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The Baron came from an economical nation。
〃Two to each！〃
〃My dear fellow； wasn't it worth it？〃
The Baron grasped his hand。
〃Ja； mine Bonker； it vas！ I vill pay zem。〃
Radiant and smiling； he returned to receive the congratulations of his guests； dreaming that his triumph was complete； and that nothing more arduous remained than pleasant dalliance alternately with his Eleanor and his Eva。 But he speedily discovered that hurling an inflated hammer heavenwards was child's play as compared with the simultaneous negotiation of a double wooing。 The first person to address him was the millionaire； and he could not but feel a shiver of apprehension to note that he was evidently in the midst of a conversation with Mr。 Gallosh。
〃I must congratulate you； Lord Tulliwuddle；〃 said Mr。 Maddison； 〃and I must further congratulate my daughter upon the almost miraculous feat you have performed for her benefit。 You know； I dare say〃 here he turned to Mr。 Gallosh〃that this very delightful entertainment was given primarily in my Eleanor's honor？〃
〃Whut！〃 exclaimed the merchant。 〃That'seh that's scarcely the fac's as we've learned them。 But his lordship will be able to tell you best himself。〃
His lordship smiled affably upon both； murmured something incoherent； and passed on hastily towards the scarlet parasol of Eleanor。 But he had no sooner reached it than he paused and would have turned had she not seen him； for under a blue parasol beside her he espied； too late； the fair face of Eva； and too clearly perceived that the happy maidens had been comparing notes； with the result that neither looked very happy now。
〃I hope you do enjoy ze sports；〃 he began； endeavoring to distribute this wish as equally as possible。
〃Miss Gallosh has been remarkably fortunate in her weather；〃 said Eleanor； and therewith gave him an uninterrupted view of her sunshade。
〃Miss Maddison has seen you to great advantage； Lord Tulliwuddle；〃 said Eva； affording him the next instant a similar prospect of silk。
The unfortunate chief recoiled from this ungrateful reception of his kindness。 Only one refuge； one mediator； he instinctively looked for； but where could the Count have gone？
〃Himmel！ Has he deserted me？〃 he muttered； frantically elbowing his way in search of him。
But this once it happened that the Count was engaged upon business of his own。 Strolling outside the ring of spectators； with a view to enjoying a cigar and a little relaxation from the anxieties of stage…management； his attention had been arrested in a singular and flattering way。 At that place where he happened to be passing stood an open carriage containing a girl and an older lady； evidently guests from the neighborhood personally unknown to his lordship； and just as he went by he heard pronounced in a thrilling whisper〃THAT must be Count Bunker！〃
The Count was too well…bred to turn at once； but it is hardly necessary to say that a few moments later he casually repassed the carriage； nor will it astonish any who have been kind enough to follow his previous career with some degree of attention to learn that when opposite the ladies he paused； looked from them to the enclosure and back again； and presently raising his feathered bonnet； said in the most ingratiating tones
〃Pardon me； but I am requested by Lord Tulliwuddle to show any attention I can to the comfort of his guests。 Can you see well from where you are？〃
The younger lady with an eager air assured him that they saw perfectly； and even in the course of the three or four sentences she spoke he was able to come to several conclusions regarding her： that her companion was in a subsidiary and doubtless salaried position； that she herself was decidedly attractive to look upon； that her voice had spoken the whispered words； and that her present animated air might safely be attributed rather to the fact that she addressed Count Bunker than to the subject…matter of her reply。
No one possessed in a higher degree than the Count the nice art of erecting a whole conversation upon the foundation of the lightest phrase。 He contrived a reply to the lady's answer； was able to put the most natural question next； to follow that with a happy stroke of wit； and within three minutes to make it seem the most obvious thing in the world that he should be saying
〃I am sure that Lord Tulliwuddle will never forgive me if I fail to learn the names of any visitors who have honored him to…day。〃
〃Mine；〃 said the girl； her color rising slightly； but her glance as kind as ever； 〃is Julia Wallingford。 This is my friend Miss Minchell。〃
The Count bowed。
〃And may I introduce myself as a friend of Tulliwuddle's； answering to the name of Count Bunker。〃
Again Miss Wallingford's color rose。 In a low and ardent voice she began
〃I am so glad to meet you！ Your name is already〃
But at that instant； when the Count was bending forward to catch the words and the lady bending down to utter them； a hand grasped him by the sleeve； and the Baron's voice exclaimed
〃Come； Bonker； quickly here to help me！〃
He would fain have presented his lordship to the ladies； but the Baron was too hurried to pause； and with a parting bow he was reluctantly borne off to assist his friend out of his latest dilemma。
〃Pooh； my dear Baron！〃 he cried； when the situation was explained to him； 〃you couldn't have done more damage to their hearts if you had hurled your hammer at them！ A touch of jealousy was all that was needed to complete your conquests。 But for me you have spoiled the most promising affair imaginable。 There goes their carriage trotting down the drive！ And I shall probably never know whether my name was already in her heart or in her prayers。 Those are the two chief receptacles for gentlemen's names； I believearen't they； Baron？〃
On his advice the rival families were left to the soothing influences of a good dinner and a night's sleep； and he found himself free to ponder over his interrupted adventure。
〃Undoubtedly one feels all the better for a little appreciation；〃 he reflected complacently。 〃I wonder if it was my trews that bowled her over？〃
CHAPTER XXV
The Count next morning consumed a solitary breakfast； his noble friend having risen some hours previously and gone for an early walk upon the hill。 But he was far from feeling any trace of boredom； since an open letter beside his plate appeared to provide him with an ample fund of pleasant and entertaining reflections。
〃I have not withered yet；〃 he said to himself。 〃Here is proof positive that some blossom； some aroma remains！〃
The precise terms of this encouraging epistle were these：
〃THE LASH； near NETHERBRIG。 〃Tuesday night。
〃DEAR COUNT BUNKER；Forgive what must seem to you INCREDIBLE boldness （！）； and do not think worse of me than I deserve。 It seems such a pity that you should be so near and yet that I should lose this chance of gratifying my great desire。 If you knew how I prized the name of Bunker you would understand； but no doubt I am only one among many； and you do understand better than I can explain。
〃My father is away from home； and the WORLD dictates prudence； but I know your views on conventionality are those I too have learned to share； so will you come and see me before you leave Scotland？
〃With kindest regards and in great haste because I want you to get this to…morrow morning。 Believe me； yours very sincerely； 〃JULIA WALLINGFORD。〃
〃P。S。If it would upset your arrangements to come only for the day； Miss Minchell agrees with me that we could easily put you up。J。 W。〃
〃By Jingo！〃 mused the Count； 〃that's what I call a sporting offer。 Her father away from home； and Count Bunker understanding better than she can explain！ Gad； it's my duty to go！〃
But besides the engaging cordiality of Miss Wallingford's invitation； there was something about the letter that puzzled almost as much as it cheered him。
〃She prizes the name of Bunker； does she？ Never struck me it was very ornamental； and in any case the compliment seems a trifle stretched。 But； hang it！ this is looking a gift…horse in the mouth。 Such ardor deserves to be embraced； not dissected。〃
He swiftly debated how best to gratify the lady。 Last night it had been his own counsel； and likewise the Baron's desire； to leave by the night mail that very evening； with their laurels still unfaded and blessings heaped upon their heads。 Why not make his next stage The Lash？
〃Hang it； the Baron has had such a good innings that he can scarcely grudge me a short knock；〃 he said to himself。 〃He can wait for me at Perth or somewhere。〃
And； ringing the bell； he wrote and promptly despatched this brief telegram：
〃Delighted。 Shall spend to…night in passing。 Bunker。〃
Hardly was this point settled when the footman re… entered to inform him that Mr。 Maddison's motor car was at the door waiting to convey him without delay to Lincoln Lodge。 Accompanying this announcement came the Silver King's card bearing the words； 〃Please come and see me at once。〃
The Count stroked his chin； and lit a cigarette。
〃There is something fresh in the wind；〃 thought he。
In the co