So the Meldrum Automatic Electro-Magnetic Brake was proved. When they examined the car afterwards it was found that though the brake-shoes were scorched and damaged beyond recall, the Brake itself was in perfect order. The other car was hardly injured. Its occupants were unhurt. But Philip did not know this. He had ceased to take any active interest in the proceedings. * * * * * Only for one brief moment during the subsequent twenty-four hours did he exhibit any sign of intelligence at all. This was when he woke up on his way back to London. He found himself lying in a smooth-running vehicle of some kind. The light was uncertain, and his vision was somewhat obscured by bandages; but he was dimly conscious that some one was sitting beside him--close beside him. He made an inarticulate sound. Instantly the figure stirred and a face came very close to his. Philip surveyed the face gravely, and remarked:-- "Hallo, Pegs!" Then everything became blank again. BOOK THREE OMNIA VINCIT! CHAPTER XXI THE BIG THING I "NINE o'clock, sir." The pert young housemaid entered Philip's bedroom, deposited a basin of hot water beside his bed, drew up the blinds, surveyed Tite Street, Chelsea, in a disparaging fashion, and announced that it was a nice day for the ducks. Philip, gathering from this observation that the weather was inclined to be inclement, replied sleepily but politely that rain made little or no difference to his plans at present. "I dare say," retorted the housemaid. "But it's me afternoon out. And please, sir," she added, recollecting herself, "Miss Marguerite wants to know if you are ready for your breakfast." "Thank you," said Philip. "In a very few minutes." When the housemaid had departed, he sat up in bed as completely as splints and bandages would permit, and prepared for breakfast. Then he lay back in bed and waited, with his eyes fixed unwinkingly upon the door. Presently there was a rattle of silver and crockery outside, accompanied by a cheerfully whistled tune, and breakfast entered upon a tray. Behind the tray came Peggy Falconer, who had been Philip's hostess now for the best part of three weeks. She greeted her patient with a maternal smile, and enquired:-- "Slept well?" "Very well, thank you." "Leg troublesome?" "No. It seems to be joining up in first-class style now." "Concussion all gone?" Philip knuckled his head vigorously all over, to show that his skull was once more free from dents. "In that case," announced Peggy, "I may possibly let you have some letters to read. But I shall wait until the doctor has seen you." Philip, who had no desire whatever to receive letters,--nor would have, until Fate separated him again from Miss Peggy Falconer,--thanked his hostess meekly, and proceeded to decapitate an egg.