I turned and looked out of the glass in the back of the hood. The English Rose had thrust herself inelegantly on to the petrol tank. Her right foot was jammed against a wing, so that her shapely leg acted as a brace: her arms clasped the two spare wheels convulsively: her head was thrown back, and her lips were moving.... Of our pursuers there was no sign. That moment we had rounded a bend, but when a moment later we rounded another they were still out of sight. I began to wonder whether it was safe to stop and take Berry inboard.... Then the Klaxon belched, and a cry from Adèle made me turn. Two hundred yards ahead was a flock of sheep--all over the road. We had to slow down to a pace which jabbed at my nerves. I did not know what to do. I did not know whether to seize the chance and take Berry inside, or whether to put the obstacle between Pong and the terror behind, and I felt I must look at the sheep. The speedometer dropped to twenty ... to fifteen ... to ten.... Then the tires tore at the road, and we practically stopped. Adèle changed into second speed. I opened the door instantly, only to see that to collect Berry now was out of the question. The sheep were all round us--like a flood--lapping our sides. Adèle changed into first. I was physically afraid to look behind. The next moment we were through. We stormed round a curve to see a level crossing a quarter of a mile ahead. _The gates were shut_. Adèle gave a cry of despair. "Oh, Boy, we're done!" "Not yet," said I, opening the door again. "Go right up to them, lass. At least, it'll give us a chance to get Berry inside." We stopped with a jerk three feet from the rails. As I ran for the gate, I glanced over my shoulder. "Now's your chance!" I shouted. "Get..." I never completed the sentence. _The English Rose was gone_. I stopped still in my tracks. Then I rushed back to the car. "He's gone!" I cried. "We've dropped him! Quick! Reverse up the way we've come, for all you're worth." Adèle backed the car with the speed and skill of a professional. I stood on the running-board, straining my eyes.... The next moment a dilapidated touring car tore round the bend we were approaching and leapt towards us. It passed us with locked wheels, rocking to glory. At a nod from me, Adèle threw out the clutch... As the mechanics came up-- "I'm sorry, _Messieurs_," I said, "but I fear you've passed him. No, he's not here. Pray look in the car.... Quite satisfied? Good. Yes, we dropped him a long way back. We thought it wiser." With that I wished them 'Good day,' and climbed into our car. "But what shall we do?" said Adèle. "Get home," said I, "as quick as ever we can. So long as we stay hereabouts, those fellows'll stick to us like glue. We must go and get help and come back. Berry'll hide somewhere where he can watch the road." As we passed over the level crossing, I looked behind. The dilapidated grey car was being turned round feverishly.