"Berry's going to do that," she said. "Directly we get to Pau." I laughed savagely. "I'm talking of automobiles," I said, "not golf balls." "I know," said my wife. "And Berry's going to----" "Well, he's not!" I shouted. "For one thing, he can't, and, for another, it's my right, and I won't give it up. I've been looking forward to it ever since I knew you. I've dreamed about it. You're miles cleverer than I am, you're wise, you're quick-witted, you can play, you can sing like a nightingale, you can take me on at tennis, you can ride--driving a car's about the only thing I can teach you, and----" Adèle laid a smooth hand upon my mouth. "Nobby and I," she said, "are very proud of you. They're not in the same street with their master, they know, but they're awfully proud to be his wife and dog." To such preposterous generosity there was but one answer. As I made it-- "May I teach you to drive, lady?" A far-away look came into the soft brown eyes. "If you don't," said Adèle, "nobody shall." * * * * * The day of the race dawned, clear and jubilant. By eight o'clock the sun was high in a blue heaven, new-swept by a steady breeze. Limping into the courtyard before breakfast, I rejoiced to notice that the air was appreciably warmer than any I had breathed for a month. We had hoped to leave Angoulême at nine o'clock. Actually it was a quarter to ten before the luggage was finally strapped into place and my brother-in-law climbed into the car. With a sigh for a bad beginning, I reflected that if we could not cover the two-hundred and twenty odd miles in twelve and a quarter hours, we ought to be shot. Jonah stood by, watch in hand. "Are you ready?" he said. I nodded. "Right," said my cousin. "I'm not sure we've picked the best route, but it's too late now. No divergence allowed." "I agree." "And you don't drive." "It's out of the question." "Right. Like to double the bets?" "No," said Adèle, "they wouldn't. I won't allow it. But I'll bet with you. I can't afford much, but I'll bet you a hundred francs we're there before you." "I'll give you tens," said my cousin. "And I start in one hour from _Now_!" When I say that, upon the word being given, Pong, whose manners had been hitherto above reproach, utterly refused to start or be started, it will be seen that Fate was against us.... It took us exactly two minutes to locate the trouble--which was in the magneto--and just over two hours to put it right. As we slid out of Angoulême, an impatient clock announced that it was mid-day.