Unfortunately, from the footpads' point of view, the rascals had not bargained for the approach of a car at seventy miles an hour. Lying in wait for the solitary traveller, they had taken the precaution to see that the straight road was otherwise deserted when the object of their attention approached. Nor were they aware of the presence of the swift, silent car until it appeared to leap from the ground within a hundred yards of them. "Look out, chums!" shouted the fellow standing over the fallen motor-cycle, and acting upon his own warning he promptly took to his heels. The others also fled, but not before one of them was held by the attacked motor-cyclist. It looked as if the fellow would be made a prisoner, for the other held on like a leech, until the ruffian drew a knife and struck. "After them!" yelled Beverley, taking a flying leap from the car. Villiers was a close second, ignoring Claverhouse's suggestion to take the car in pursuit. As it was the chase was futile. The assailants, young, agile, and strong in wind, scattered in different directions, steadily outdistancing the three new arrivals, hampered as they were with heavy coats. "Pity we didn't stick to the car," remarked Alec regretfully, as puffed and pouring with perspiration they made their way back to the victim of the attack. "I bet we would have run at least two of them to earth. Fine sport it would have been, and the grass makes good going. Hallo! He's up again." Claverhouse indicated the unfortunate motor-cyclist, who, holding one arm below the elbow, was ruefully contemplating his steed. "Hurt, sir?" inquired Villiers. "Scratch," replied the other with equal laconism. Then, as if the presence of his rescuers was unnoticed, he fumbled with the fingers of his uninjured arm until he succeeded in opening the leather case on the carrier. Apparently his investigations were satisfactory, for, closing the lid, he turned towards the three chums. "Thanks, awfully, for your timely assistance," he exclaimed. "It was very remiss of me not to say so before, but my head feels a trifle dizzy. I'm afraid I haven't quite got the hang of things yet." "Let me bind your arm," suggested Beverley. "It is bleeding rather badly." "So it is," admitted the stranger. "I hardly noticed it, but it's tingling a bit now." Villiers helped him off with his motor-cycling coat and jacket and rolled up his sleeve. "Clean cut," announced Beverley. "Any first-aid gadgets in the car, Alec?" "Trust me for that," replied Claverhouse. "I'll fetch the wallet." "Any suggestion as to the cause of that attack?" asked Villiers. "Can't say," was the non-committal reply. "I'm sorry they got away--very." "So am I," agreed Villiers sincerely. "According to the papers, robbery with violence is on the increase. One of the after-results of the war, I suppose. Going far?" "Southampton," replied the stranger. "I have an engagement at three." "So have we," added Beverley. "Is your bike all right?"