“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’t take you long to get a move on.”

“You darling!” said Jill, stooping to caress him “The way you went after that car was just heroic.”

“I suppose,” said Berry, “that if I were to suggest that he knew perfectly well that he couldn’t catch it, and that it was nothing more than a brilliant display of eye-wash, I should be abused.”

“What a shame!” cried Daphne and Jill in a breath.  “What a beastly shame!”