Every one turned to look at her and Megan felt her face flush. Her words had come without her mind having consciously prompted them or her will consenting, but now that they were spoken they suddenly crystallized into her intention. "You say you can drive a car," asked the Doctor, "a Ford?" "Yes." His eyes turned a current into her so that all her weaknesses seemed to jangle out audibly like electric bells. But she bore his scrutiny as well as she could and after all, she thought, perhaps the keenness of his vision is inward, not for what is about him. Some instinct even told her that he was often blinded by the reflections of his own qualities and that the last thing to surprise him in another would be courage. Of Mrs. Jackson however she was more afraid. But when she glanced at her Mrs. Jackson was not looking at her, and it was Mr. Jackson who uttered a protest. "But Miss Davis, I don't believe you realize the possibilities. Remember, I feel a great responsibility for you." "I really insist on going," said Megan, "if Doctor Strike thinks I can be of any help." She spoke so emphatically that her voice sounded disagreeable, and Mr. Jackson sank back in his chair looking quite ill and sadly worrying the end of his mustache. "Have some sandwiches and coffee then," said Mrs. Jackson; "you ate no dinner, I noticed." It seemed to be settled, though Doctor Strike, had not yet definitely accepted her. Megan ate some sandwiches and drank heartily a cup of coffee to demonstrate that she was not at all nervous. "I don't believe we'll have any trouble," said the Doctor. "I have a permit from General Duncan for the Settlement and one from the French Commandant of the Defense for the Concession. We can only of course go through the Concessions. That leaves us a minimum of Chinese territory to cross between Range Road and the North Station, only several hundred yards as I remember it, and from there on we have the guard of General Yen." He said the last words with a smile; he was happy, Megan saw, actively happy and even a little triumphant. "What time is it?" he asked again. "Four o'clock." "Then if you will get a warm coat, Miss Davis, we had better be starting." Megan ran up-stairs and returned with a coat. Outside in the thin rain stood a Ford car, the curtains down and a Chinese driver huddled at the wheel. He did not even look at them and Megan was sure the Doctor was right in believing he could not be depended on; he was sullen or frightened or both. The Doctor got in beside him and Megan got in the back. The driver climbed slowly out and cranked. Mrs. Jackson stood by the car talking to Megan: "You had better button up your collar," she said, "these nights are raw and you don't look too strong. You'll be in luck if you don't catch your death of cold." And she added with an unexpected satisfaction, "Miss Reed will certainly be surprised when the Doctor turns up with a lady."