With years of practice behind us, Jonah and I could thrust through traffic, happy enough with an odd inch to spare. Naturally enough, Berry had no such confidence. An inch was of no use to him. He must have a good ell, and more also, before he would enter a gap. In the trough of a narrow street he laboured heavily.... There was no doubt about it. The towns through which we should have to pass on Wednesday would settle our chances. My money was as good as gone. It seemed equally probable that Berry would save his stake. Barring accidents of the grosser sort, if we started betimes, we were bound to reach Pau before ten. Such a protasis robbed the bet of its savour. With a thousand francs at stake, it would be foolish not to take reasonable care. And the taking of reasonable care would all but eliminate the element of uncertainty.... There was no getting away from it. Of the two wagers, only the first was worth winning. To reach Pau before Jonah would be a veritable triumph. Moodily I communicated my reflections to Adèle. "I thought it was rather rash at the time," she replied. "But I think there's a sporting chance." "That's right," said Berry. "Put your money on uncle. With enough encouragement I can do anything." "Permit me to encourage you to blow your horn," said I. "That child in front of you is too young to die." My brother-in-law obeyed. "All the same, I'm afraid we're for it. It isn't so much a question of pace, pure and simple, for Jonah's a careful driver. But his street work is beautiful." Berry sighed. "I suppose he'd pass between those two waggons," he said sarcastically. "He would," said I. "I don't think you quite see where I mean," said Berry, pointing. "I mean along that temporary passage, which would admit a small perambulator." As he spoke, Ping brushed past us, slipped between the two wains, and disappeared. Berry stared after it in silence. At length-- "I withdraw," he said. "I'm not a conjurer. If everybody stood well back I used to be able to produce an egg, broken or unbroken according to the temperature of my hands, from a handkerchief about six feet square. People were very nice about it, very nice. But an inability to introduce a quart into a pint pot has always been among my failings. Don't say I've got to turn to the left here, because I can't bear it." "No," said Adèle, smiling. "Straight on." "What--past the steam roller? How very touching! Excuse me, messieurs, but would you mind suspending your somewhat boisterous _travail_? My little car is frightened.... No answer. I suppose I must pass it. Or shall we turn back? You know, I didn't really half see the cathedral!" "Go on," I said mercilessly. "Jam your foot on the accelerator and shut your eyes. Oh, and you might hold Nobby a minute, will you? I want to light a cigarette." Adèle began to shake with laughter.