Challenger was too furious to answer. He could only growl and blink and bristle. Lord John hastened to intervene before the dispute became more violent. "You talk of walking. Why should we walk?" said he. "Do you suggest taking a train?" asked Challenger, still simmering. "What's the matter with the motor-car? Why should we not go in that?" "I am not an expert," said Challenger, pulling at his beard reflectively. "At the same time, you are right in supposing that the human intellect in its higher manifestations should be sufficiently flexible to turn itself to anything. Your idea is an excellent one, Lord John. I myself will drive you all to London." "You will do nothing of the kind," said Summerlee with decision. "No, indeed, George!" cried his wife. "You only tried once, and you remember how you crashed through the gate of the garage." "It was a momentary want of concentration," said Challenger complacently. "You can consider the matter settled. I will certainly drive you all to London." The situation was relieved by Lord John. "What's the car?" he asked. "A twenty-horsepower Humber." "Why, I've driven one for years," said he. "By George!" he added. "I never thought I'd live to take the whole human race in one load. There's just room for five, as I remember it. Get your things on, and I'll be ready at the door by ten o'clock." Sure enough, at the hour named, the car came purring and crackling from the yard with Lord John at the wheel. I took my seat beside him, while the lady, a useful little buffer state, was squeezed in between the two men of wrath at the back. Then Lord John released his brakes, slid his lever rapidly from first to third, and we sped off upon the strangest drive that ever human beings have taken since man first came upon the earth.