With his foot upon the step, Berry regarded me. "I should like Herbert's ruling on that," he said. "Besides, I've got a thirst which is above rubies." "Think what it'll be like by lunch-time," said Jill. "Besides," she added, searching for her bag, "I've got some acid drops somewhere." With an unearthly shriek Berry clawed at his temples.... For a moment he rocked to and fro agonisedly. Then he climbed heavily into the car. As he sank back against the cushions-- "Murderess," he said. "And it was the best I've had since Egypt." * * * * * Two hours later we ran into Montrejeau, crept by its exquisite market--roofed and pillared and carrying its four hundred years as they were forty--dropped down a wicked hill, and swept over an infant Garonne on to the Luchon road. Before we had covered five kilometres we sighted our goal. 'A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.' Out of the blowing meadows rose up an eminence. But for the snow-clad heights beyond, you would have called it a mountain. Its slopes were timbered, and if there was a road there, this could not be seen. High up above the trees was a city wall, standing out boldly, as ramparts should. Within the wall, still higher, were houses, white, ancient, stern-faced. And there, clear above them all, perched upon the very point of the hill, towered a cathedral. The size of it turned the city into a close. Its site, its bulwarks, however, turned the church into a castle. Here was an abbot filling the post of constable. The longer you gazed, the stronger the paradox became. Pictures of peace and war became inextricably confused. Men-at-arms mumbled their offices; steel caps concealed tonsures: embrasures framed precious panes: trumpets sounded the Angelus: mail chinked beneath vestments: sallies became processions: sentinels cried "_Pax vobiscum_".... Plainly most venerable, the tiny city and the tremendous church made up a living relic, of whose possession Memory can be very proud. Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges ranks with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There is nothing like it in all the world. Presently we passed through the meadows, climbed up the tree-clad slopes, and came to a little terrace under the city-wall. Full in the sunlight, sheltered from the wind, the pleasaunce made an ideal refectory. The view of the mountains, moreover, which it afforded was superb. I stole by the city gate and berthed Pong close to the low parapet.... Ten minutes later Ping drew up behind us. "Isn't this just lovely?" cried Adèle, applying the hand-brake. "It's unique," said I, advancing. "How did the car go?" "Like a train," said Jonah, helping Daphne to alight. "I may add that I've enjoyed being driven." "Oh, Jonah, how nice of you!" cried Adèle. It was, indeed, a compliment worth having. "I told you so," I said unctuously. "And now," said Berry, "if you've quite done scratching one another's backs----" "Vulgar brute!" said Daphne.