"What a shemozzle, isn't it?" he said dazedly. "I think we'd better get out of this, don't you?" He wheeled the motor cycle into the centre of the road and bade her jump up behind. Folks who were returning home late that night were astonished to see a hatless man with a white unshaved face tearing through the side streets of the south-west district of London on a motor cycle with a pretty, but very dishevelled maiden clinging on to the Flapper bracket and deliriously shouting apparently for no better reason than joy of speed. An old gentleman who signed himself "Commonsense" wrote to the papers about it next day and expressed his disgust in no measured terms. CHAPTER 34. THE FINISHING STRAIGHT. "Gentlemen," said Mr. Torrington. "We have an important decision to make. Barraclough is on his way home, presumably with the concession in his pocket. Our opponents have made certain dispositions to prevent his safe arrival--those dispositions they are prepared to remove in consideration of a third interest." Cassis snorted violently. Actual propinquity with danger, the clash of mind against mind had in a large measure restored his self-possession. "Preposterous," he ejaculated. Hilbert Torrington continued. "It rests with us to decide whether or no we will accept their terms or take a chance." "Don't forget the chance is Barraclough," cried Cranbourne, then swinging round on Hipps, he demanded: "What are the odds against him?" "Steep," was the laconical rejoinder. Cranbourne hesitated a bare second. "Accept their terms," said he. "In favour?" "Of course in favour." Nugent Cassis shook him by the sleeve. "I am heartily opposed to their acceptance. It is absurd to suppose that Barraclough is unequal to the task we have set him." "Against?" queried Mr. Torrington. "Emphatically against." When it came to Almont's turn to vote his distress of mind was pathetic. He stood alternatively on one leg and the other. He spoke of "Jolly old public school traditions." He "doubted if the dear old sportsman could endure the idea of being protected at such a cost." "No, damn it all," he concluded. "Why should we split the prize?" "We can't juggle with men's lives," urged Cranbourne. "It's insanity to wilt at the last moment," said Cassis. Up went Lord Almont's hand. "I vote against," he said. Rather piteously Cranbourne appealed to his chief. As Chairman of the board Hilbert Torrington's vote counted as two. "It rests with you, sir," he said. The old man nodded and a queer smile played round the corners of his mouth--the smile of a pranky schoolboy. "But surely," he said. "No one will doubt the course I shall take. One must always stand by one's colours. I accept the hazard Against." He moved a pace or two forward and bowed to Van Diest. "Good-evening, Gentlemen."