"Oh, thank you!" cried Susie Rushford, looking up into a very handsome face.
"It was my great good fortune," said the stranger, bowing, "to be of service to a compatriot."
"Oh, you are an American?"
"No; an Englishman; but at least we speak the same language! I don't know the word for it"
"Neither do I—compatriot will do. You were just in time!"
"And you did it very neatly," added Nell, admiringly, glancing at the discomfited Jax, who was looking about him dazedly.
"Thank you," and the stranger, checking the words which were evidently upon his lips, bowed again, turned quickly back to his chair, buried himself in its recesses, and retired behind a newspaper.
"Well!" gasped Sue, meeting her sister's astonished eyes, "I must say—"
But what she must have said will remain forever a mystery, for just then the Prince of Markeld came hurrying up.
"I hope there is no damage," he said, speaking with just the slightest accent. "He is my dog," he added, seeing their questioning glance. "I am very sorry. I was a little preoccupied and was not noticing him. He is usually a very good dog. I cannot understand why he should have attacked yours."