My Friend the Chauffeur   By: Charles Norris Williamson (1859-1920)

My friend the Chauffeur

By C. N. and A. M. WILLIAMSON

Authors of "Lady Betty Across the Water," "The Princess Virginia," "The Lightning Conductor," etc., etc.

With Illustrations

BY FREDERIC LOWENHEIM

A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

Copyright, 1905, by McCLURE, PHILLIPS & CO. Published September, 1905

TO THE OTHER BEECHY

CONTENTS

PART I TOLD BY RALPH MORAY

CHAPTER PAGE

I A CHAPTER OF SURPRISES 3 II A CHAPTER OF PLANS 17 III A CHAPTER OF REVENGES 28 IV A CHAPTER OF HUMILIATIONS 40 V A CHAPTER OF ADVENTURES 55 VI A CHAPTER OF PREDICAMENTS 78

PART II TOLD BY BEECHY KIDDER

VII A CHAPTER OF CHILDISHNESS 89 VIII A CHAPTER OF PLAYING DOLLS 97 IX A CHAPTER OF REVELATIONS 107 X A CHAPTER OF THRILLS 115 XI A CHAPTER OF BRAKES AND WORMS 129 XII A CHAPTER OF HORRORS 138 XIII A CHAPTER OF WILD BEASTS 152 XIV A CHAPTER OF SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 163

PART III TOLD BY THE COUNTESS

XV A CHAPTER OF PITFALLS 175 XVI A CHAPTER OF ENCHANTMENT 191

PART IV TOLD BY MAIDA DESTREY

XVII A CHAPTER OF MOTOR MANIA 205 XVIII A CHAPTER ACCORDING TO SHAKSPERE 225 XIX A CHAPTER OF PALACES AND PRINCES 235 XX A CHAPTER IN FAIRYLAND 244 XXI A CHAPTER OF STRANGE SPELLS 256 XXII A CHAPTER BEYOND THE MOTOR ZONE 267 XXIII A CHAPTER OF KIDNAPPING 283 XXIV A CHAPTER ON PUTTING TRUST IN PRINCES 292

PART V TOLD BY TERENCE BARRYMORE

XXV A CHAPTER OF CHASING 303 XXVI A CHAPTER OF HIGH DIPLOMACY 316

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE

She was only a tall white girl simply dressed Frontispiece

As he spoke a douanier lounged out of his little (After) 62 whitewashed lair

Two or three men were moving about the place (After) 148

A great white light pounced upon us like a hawk on a chicken (After) 200

MY FRIEND THE CHAUFFEUR

PART I

TOLD BY RALPH MORAY

I

A CHAPTER OF SURPRISES

"WANTED, LADIES, TO CONDUCT. An amateur automobilist (English, titled) who drives his own motor car accommodating five persons, offers to conduct two or three ladies, Americans preferred, to any picturesque centres in Europe which they may desire to visit. Car has capacity for carrying small luggage, and is of best type. Journeys of about 100 miles a day. Novel and delightful way of travelling; owner of car well up in history, art, and architecture of different countries. Inclusive terms five guineas a day each, or slight reduction made for extensive trip. Address "