"How can we hit him best?"

"All round. We can summon him under the Motor Car Acts and bring a civil
action for damages. He ought to go down heavily."

"No escape?"

"I should say we've got him cold."

Berry heaved a long sigh and clapped me on the back.

"I feel better already," he said.

Before doing anything else, Jonah and I subjected the Rolls to a careful
examination.

Both wings and the running-board on the off-side had been ripped off,
and the front axle was bent by the side of the steering-pin. The off
fore-wheel had apparently been struck on the tire, and the fact that
neither of the fore-wheels had collapsed spoke volumes for their sturdy
construction. The shock, however, had put the steering-gear out of
action. So far as we could tell, that was the extent of the damage.
Whether any further injuries would later appear, it was impossible to
say.

I crossed to the girls and Berry, who were seated disconsolate upon the
bank on the opposite side of the road. Heavily I made my report.

"There's only one thing to do," I concluded. "I must leg it to Marvel
and see if I can raise a couple of mechanics, some tools, and a car. I
can drive back with them, and then we can leave them here and all go on
in the hireling to Hillingdon. We shan't get any lunch, but we'll be in
time for the wedding, with luck. By the time we get back from Monk's
Honour, if the fellows know their job, we ought to be able to get the
Rolls to Marvel under her own power. From there she'll have to come up
to Town by rail. And we can go back by the special, whenever it leaves."

As I finished speaking, Jill gave a little cry, and I turned to see a
small white scrap, way down the long white road, plodding wearily in our
direction. It was our Champion. As he came nearer, it was obvious that
he was much exhausted. More than once he stumbled, and a red tongue
lolled from his gaping jaws; but his little tail was up, and, as he
toiled gamely towards us, he wagged it to and fro by way of greeting. Of
one accord we welcomed him with a cheer. Obviously gratified by our
appreciation, Nobby smiled an unmistakable smile and, wagging his tail
more vigorously than before, quickened his flagging steps. A moment
later he thrust a dusty nose against my extended hand and, bowing his
tousled head sideways by way of homage, rolled over on his back and lay
panting in the shade at my feet.

"Good little chap," said I, stroking his heaving flank. "It didn