The Obstacle Race By Ethel M. Dell 1921 I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO MY DEAR "HALF-SISTER," MARY, WITH MY LOVE "So run, that ye may obtain."--_I Corinthians 9:24_ Give me the ready brain and steadfast face To dare the hazard and to run the race, The high heart that no scathing word can stay O'erleaping obstacles that bar the way, The sportsman's soul that, failing at the end, Can smile upon the victory of a friend, And to my judges make this one protest,-- A poor performance but--I did my best! CONTENTS PART I CHAPTER I.--BETTER THAN LONDON II.--SACRIFICE III.--MAGIC IV.--BROTHER DICK V.--THE GREAT MAN VI.--THE VISITOR VII.--THE OFFER VIII.--MRS. FIELDING IX.--THE INTRUDER PART II I.--THE WAND OF OFFICE II.--MIDSUMMER MADNESS III.--A DRAWN BATTLE IV.--A POINT OF HONOUR V.--THE WAY TO HAPPINESS VI.--RECONCILIATION VII.--THE SPELL VIII.--THE HONOURS OF WAR PART III I.--BIRDS OF A FEATHER II.--SALTASH III.--THE PRICE IV.--KISMET V.--THE DRIVING FORCE VI.--THE SISTER OF MERCY VII.--THE SACRIFICE VIII.--THE MESSAGE IX.--THE ANSWER PART IV I.--THE FREE GIFT II.--FRIENDSHIP III.--CONFESSION IV.--COUNSEL V.--THE THUNDERBOLT VI.--COALS OF FIRE VII.--FLIGHT VIII.--OUT OF THE NIGHT IX.--THE FREE PARDON X.--THE LAST FENCE THE OBSTACLE RACE PART I CHAPTER I BETTER THAN LONDON A long, green wave ran up, gleaming like curved glass in the sunlight, and broke in a million sparkles against a shelf of shingle. Above the shingle rose the soft cliffs, clothed with scrubby grass and crowned with gorse. "Columbus," said the stranger, "this is just the place for us." Columbus wagged a cheery tail and expressed complete agreement. He was watching a small crab hurrying among the stones with a funny frown between his brows. He was not quite sure of the nature or capabilities of these creatures, and till he knew more he deemed it advisable to let them pass without interference. A canny Scot was Columbus, and it was very seldom indeed that anyone ever got the better of him. He was also a gentleman to the backbone, and no word his mistress uttered, however casual, ever passed unacknowledged by him. He always laughed when she laughed, however obscure the joke. He smiled now, since she was obviously pleased, but without taking his sharp little eyes off the object of his interest. Suddenly the scuttling crab disappeared and he started up with a whine. In a moment he was scratching in the shingle in eager search, flinging showers of stones over his companion in the process.