g which was
eventually produced to us, but, after a little discussion, we purchased
the tablets and asked for some water with which to swallow them.

I must confess that when we returned to find no sign of the car, I was
extremely annoyed. It was rapidly growing dark and it had become cold.
Adele was tired and had had no tea. The market was up, with the result
that the streets were swarming. I cursed my brother-in-law with
pardonable acerbity.

"It's all right, old chap," said Adele, taking my arm. "He's probably
just around somewhere. Let's go and look for him."

He was not around anywhere.

We struggled to the right, we fought our way to the left, we pushed and
were pushed back to the _pharmacie_, and we returned laboriously to our
starting-point. All the time we were devilled by the lingering idea
that Berry was searching for us, and that we were just avoiding him at
every turn. After another two minutes, I took my protesting wife back
to the chemist's shop, requested his hospitality on her behalf, and,
after seeing her received by a glowing Frenchwoman into an inner room,
turned up my collar and advanced blasphemously into the street.

Almost immediately Berry stumbled into my arms.

"_The car!_" he gasped. "_A plant! Quick! Or they'll do us down!_"

I stared at him stupidly.

His coat was torn and he was streaming with sweat. Also his hat was
missing, and there was a cut on his cheek.

"You're hurt," I cried.

"Right as rain," he panted. "Tell you 's we go." He started to pelt
up the street. I ran by his side. "'Bout two minutes after you'd
gone--fellow ran up t' the car in hell of a state--firs' couldn' make
out what matter was--talked too fast--then gathered, you'd sent
him--Adele had been taken ill--lie, of course--see now--never occurred
to me at time--told him get on step and guide me--burst off up
street--lef' ri' lef stunt--'fore knew where I was, cul de sac--pulled
up--nex' second, both doors open and toughest cove 've ever seen told
me t' hop it--in bad American--round to t' left here--course I tumbled
at once--dirty work--tried t' hit him--nothing doing--tried to lock
car--couldn't--hauled out anyhow--no good yelling--ran find you--one
ray hope--out of petrol--I never stopped engine--petered out on its
own--can on step, I know--but they'll have to locate trouble--and then
decant--left again here ... no ... wait." He looked from side to side
anxiously. Then he swung round and g