f you like, I'll take it away."

He stooped down and withdrew it from the unconscious man's pocket. He
started as he discovered that it was loaded in every chamber.

"I can't bear the sight of them things," the woman declared. "It's the
men of evil ways, who've no trust in the Lord, who need that sort of
protection."

They heard the door pushed open, the howl of wind down the passage,
and the beating of rain upon the stone flags. Then it was softly closed
again. The landlord staggered into the room, followed by a young man.

"This 'ere is Mr. Martin's chaffer," he announced. "You can tell him
what you want yerself."

Gerald turned almost eagerly towards the newcomer.

"I want to go to the other side of Holt," he said, "and get my
friend--get this gentleman away from here--get him home, if possible.
Can you take me?"

The chauffeur looked doubtful.

"I'm afraid of the roads, sir," he replied. "There's talk about many
bridges down, and trees, and there's floods out everywhere. There's
half a foot of water, even, across the village street now. I'm afraid we
shouldn't get very far."

"Look here," Gerald begged eagerly, "let's make a shot at it. I'll pay
you double the hire of the car, and I'll be responsible for any damage.
I want to get out of this beastly place. Let's get somewhere, at any
rate, towards a civilised country. I'll see you don't lose anything.
I'll give you a five pound note for yourself if we get as far as Holt."

"I'm on," the young man agreed shortly. "It's an open car, you know."

"It doesn't matter," Gerald replied. "I can stick it in front with you,
and we can cover--him up in the tonneau."

"You'll wait until the doctor comes back?" the landlord asked.

"And why should they?" his wife interposed sharply. "Them doctors are
all the same. He'll try and keep the poor gentleman here for the sake
of a few extra guineas, and a miserable place for him to open his
eyes upon, even if the rest of the roof holds, which for my part I'm
beginning to doubt. They'd have to move him from here with the daylight,
anyhow. He can't lie in the bar parlour all day, can he?"

"It don't seem right, somehow," the man com plained doggedly. "The
doctor didn't say anything about having him moved."

"You get the car," Gerald ordered the young man. "I'll take the whole
responsibility."

The chauffeur silently left the room. Gerald put a couple of sovereigns
upon the mantelpiece.

"My friend is a man of somewhat