"Charles," she asked, "what has happened? Are we really stranded here?"
The man's head emerged from the bonnet. He came round to the side of the car.
"I am very sorry, madam," he reported, "but something has gone wrong with the magneto. I shall have to take it to pieces before I can tell exactly what is wrong. At present I can't get a spark of any sort."
"There is no hope of any immediate repair, then?"
The chauffeur shook his head dolefully.
"I shall have to take the magneto down, madam," he said. "It will take several hours, and it ought to be done by daylight."
"And in the meantime, what do you suggest that we do?" she asked.
The man looked a little helpless. His battle of words with Aline had depressed him.
"I heard a dog bark a little while ago," he remarked. "Perhaps I had better go and see whether there isn't a farm somewhere near."
"And leave us here alone?" Aline exclaimed indignantly. "It is a good suggestion. It comes well from the man who has got us into such trouble!"