Then Phipps realized his
possibilities, slacked up with the brake, and let the thing go
over sideways, dropping on to his right foot. With his left leg
still over the saddle, and still holding the handles, he looked
over his shoulder and began addressing uncomplimentary remarks to
Dangle. "You only think of yourself," said Phipps, with a florid
face.
"They have forgotten us," said Jessie, turning her machine.
"There was a road at the top of the hill--to Lyndhurst," said
Hoopdriver, following her example.
"It's no good. There's the money. We must give it up. But let us
go back to that hotel at Rufus Stone. I don't see why we should
be led captive."
So to the consternation of the tandem riders, Jessie and her
companion mounted and rode quietly back up the hill again. As
they dismounted at the hotel entrance, the tandem overtook them,
and immediately afterwards the dogcart came into view in pursuit.
Dangle jumped off.
"Miss Milton, I believe," said Dangle, panting and raising a damp
cap from his wet and matted hair.
"I SAY," said Phipps, receding involuntarily. "Don't go doing it
again, Dangle. HELP a chap."
"One minute," said Dangle, and ran after his colleague.
Jessie leant her machine against the wall, and went into the
hotel entrance. Hoopdriver remained in the hotel entrance, limp
but defiant.
AT THE RUFUS STONE
XXXVIII
He folded his arms as Dangle and Phipps returned towards him.
Phipps was abashed by his inability to cope with the tandem,
which he was now wheeling, but Dangle was inclined to be
quarrelsome.
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