This was not serious. A tire was flat, certainly, but we had two spare wheels.
I drew a sou from my pocket and spun it into the air.
"I maintain," said Berry, "that the obverse will bite the dust."
The coin tinkled to a settlement, and we both stooped to read our respective fates….
A moment later, with a self-satisfied grin, I climbed back into the car, whilst Berry removed his coat with awful deliberation.
Jill was in possession of the paper, so I lighted a cigarette and turned up Tarbes in the guide-book….
"Just listen to this," said my cousin suddenly.
"Of the four properties, the villa Irikli is the most notable. A well-known traveller once styled it 'the fairest jewel in Como's diadem.' Occupying one of the choicest situations on the famous lake, surrounded by extensive gardens, the varied beauty of which beggars description, the palace—for it is nothing less—has probably excited more envy than any dwelling in Europe….
"Then it speaks about the house…. Wait a minute…. Here we are
"The heavily-shaded lawns, stretching to the very edge of the lake, the magnificent cedars, the sunlit terraces, the cascades, the chestnut groves, the orange and lemon trellises, the exquisite prospects, go to the making of a veritable paradise."