Red In The Morning by Dornford Yates Read Free Book Online Page B

they must, I think, have seen us, for we were much more exposed: that they did not was, I am sure, because they were not used to the countryside and so thought of nothing more than of looking directly behind: for this reason, time and again, we had the advantage of them, for we were at home in country of any kind; but they were at home in a city, as felons usually are.)
    The road, which was still serpentine, now stood us in stead. We were able to draw very close, without being seen. Indeed, as we rounded one of the last of the bends, we saw the tail of the Lowland flick out of view round the next.
    “If,” said Mansel, “we can avoid being seen…for the moment, of course. I mean, we must have no shooting, till Jenny is out of the way.”
    “We’re nearly up,” said I. “Stop at the last of the bends, and I’ll have a look round.”
    Once we stopped in vain, for another bend lay ahead. But that was the last of the turnings; and when I peered cautiously round it, I saw the Lowland at rest a hundred yards off. She was out of the valley and up on the top of a hill, just short of a fork in the road; and a slice of an opened map was sticking out of a window, to show that someone was seeking to settle which way to go. So for ten seconds or so. Then the map was withdrawn, and the Lowland began to move.
    I waited until I saw her enter the road that bore to the right. As I turned to beckon to Mansel, Carson whipped round the last but one of the bends.
    The eagles were gathering…
    I returned to the Lowland, to see her slide out of sight.
    As I took my seat beside Mansel –
    “Go on gently,” I said, “and then bear right. They don’t know where they are; for they’ve just been using the map. And they’ve taken the road to Stère. Can you picture Stère? I remember it very well.”
    “I can,” said Mansel. “A most inconvenient townlet. Streets about twelve feet wide, and police all over the place.”
    I cannot better that description. Stère was not built for these days: and its Mayor was determined that accidents should not occur: for a motorist in a hurry, the place was a nightmare.
    “More,” I said. “There are two ways into Stère.”
    “That’s right: they start at the same point: they then diverge – and return, to meet at the bottleneck – an idle and offensive performance, for which there is no excuse.”
    “They may help us this evening. Carson follows the Lowland; but we take the way which the Lowland does not take: so we are in front of Gedge when he comes to the bottleneck: and Carson is just behind.”
    “Very good indeed,” said Mansel. “Ah, here we are, STÈRE – 7 MILES. And there they go round that bend. Summon Carson, will you? We’ll put him wise.”
    At a sign from me, Carson drew alongside.
    “Are you better, Bell?” I cried.
    “All right now, sir, thank you.”
    “Listen, Carson. The Lowland is just ahead. If and when you see us leave her, you will close up to her tail. We are going to bypass her, so that when she enters Stère, she will be directly between us. At least, we shall try to do that. But, whatever happens, don’t lose her.”
    “I won’t do that, sir.”
    “If it comes off, they won’t be looking round – they’ll be watching us: but I shouldn’t like them to miss you, so, the moment my hand comes out, close right up to their bumper and then you and Bell get out and open their doors.”
    “Very good, sir.”
    I nodded, and he fell in behind.
    “William,” said Mansel, “you have my sympathy.”
    I knew what he meant. Violence could hardly be done in the main street of Stère. In such a place, with no chance of getting away, even Gedge would see the wisdom of holding his hand. So I must postpone my vengeance. Still, once Jenny was out of the Lowland, I promised myself a word or two with the swine. Of course, had she been ill used…
    Stère was some seven miles off; but the road was in our favour and alive with just enough traffic to mask our policy.