The road continued along the river bank, with no fences on the left side. Although residences were fairly numerous, there was little traffic on the highway. The car was running at a moderate pace when the chauffeur suddenly diverted it towards the river, and with an exceedingly narrow margin escaped tumbling down the bank. "I say," murmured Stranleigh, "I don't like that you know." "There's worse to come," said the chauffeur menacingly. "You will promise to pay me a hundred thousand dollars, or I will dash you and the car over the edge into the river. If you consider your life worth that sum, speak quickly." "Ah, it is you, Parkes? I hope you realise that you will dash yourself over at the same time?" "I know that, but I'm a desperate man. Just get that through your head." "You are aware that a promise given under duress is not binding?" "Stow talk!" roared Parkes. "Say 'yes' or 'no.'" "I say 'No!'" replied Stranleigh, so quietly that the other was unprepared for the prompt action which followed. Stranleigh flung his arms around the man, and jerked him backward from his wheel. His lordship was in good athletic condition; the ex-valet had looked too much on the wine when it was red, and on the highball when it sparkled in the glass. He felt helpless as a child. "Now," said Stranleigh, "we will see who is the coward. I'll lay a wager with you that this car tumbles off the bank before five minutes are past." Stranleigh with his heels was working the two outside pegs, and the car acted as if it were drunker than a lord, and almost as drunk as the valet. "In God's name," cried the latter, "let me go. We shall be wrecked in a moment." "No, we won't." "I implore you, Lord Stranleigh!" "I'll save your life, but will give you a lesson against attempted blackmail." He steered to the edge of the bank, then pressed the middle peg, and stopped the car. Rising and carrying Parkes with him, he hurled him headlong over the slight earthy precipice into the water, which was shallow at that point. Parkes arose spluttering, and found Stranleigh had turned the car round, and with a smile on his face, was looking down at his dripping victim. "You'll suffer for this!" cried Parkes, shaking his fist at him. "We're in a country, thank God, where we think very little of lords." "Oh, I don't think much of lords myself, in any country," replied Stranleigh suavely, "and even less of their valets, notwithstanding I've a very good one myself. Now listen to my advice. I shall be in the United States before you can reach a telephone, and I don't see how you can get me back unless I wish to return. I advise you not to stir up the police. The Duke of Rattleborough cabled to me that a certain section of that useful body is anxious to hear of you. Call on Mr. Sterling, and whatever he thinks is just compensation for your introduction I will pay, but before you get the money, you must ensure both of us against further molestation in any way."