“You will be heavily outnumbered.”
“Yes—but the advantage of surprise will be on our side, and we can take cover. I do not dare to get help; it may not be safe to trust anyone.”
“Very well,” David Lint on said, quietly. “Will you order the motor, O’Neill? I can be off in three minutes.”
He shook hands with the boys, wishing them luck very gravely knowing that in all probability it was the last time he should speak to them. Jim went downstairs with him, without a word.
Con and the motor were at the door.
“You’ll be there by eight o’clock, with luck,” O’Neill said. “Remember, you’re racing, Con. And——” He dropped his voice. “I’ll keep him safe for you if I can, sir.’
“Thanks,” said David Linton. He shook hands with his boy again. The motor whirred off in a cloud of dust.
They went up the staircase in silence, to where Norah and Wally waited for them.
“Wally has told me all about it,” said Norah, pale, but steady-eyed. “Oh, Sir John, I could help! Do let me.”
“You can help by keeping out of harm’s way,” he told her, gently.