I may want you. Bit of a mess I'm in--eigh? But I've
caught 'em. At the very place I expected, too."
"Caught them!" said Widgery. Where are they?"
"Up there," he said, with a backward motion of his head. "About a
mile up the hill. I left 'em. I HAD to."
"I don't understand," said Mrs. Milton, with that rapt, painful
look again. "Have you found Jessie?"
"I have. I wish I could wash the gravel out of my hands
somewhere. It was like this, you know. Came on them suddenly
round a corner. Horse shied at the bicycles. They were sitting by
the roadside botanising flowers. I just had time to shout,
'Jessie Milton, we've been looking for you,' and then that
confounded brute bolted. I didn't dare turn round. I had all my
work to do to save myself being turned over, as it was--so long
as I did, I mean. I just shouted, 'Return to your friends. All
will be forgiven.' And off I came, clatter, clatter. Whether they
heard--"
"TAKE ME TO HER," said Mrs. Milton, with intensity, turning
towards Widgery.
"Certainly," said Widgery, suddenly becoming active. "How far is
it, Dangle?"
"Mile and a half or two miles. I was determined to find them, you
know. I say though--Look at my hands! But I beg your pardon, Mrs.
Milton." He turned to Phipps. "Phipps, I say, where shall I wash
the gravel out? And have a look at my knee?"
"There's the station," said Phipps, becoming helpful. Dangle made
a step, and a damaged knee became evident. "Take my arm," said
Phipps.
"Where can we get a conveyance?" asked Widgery of two small boys.
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