An instant later the man emerged from his hiding-place, sprang upon

his cycle, and followed her. In all the broad landscape those

were the only moving figures, the graceful girl sitting very

straight upon her machine, and the man behind her bending low

over his handle-bar, with a curiously furtive suggestion in

every movement. She looked back at him and slowed her pace.

He slowed also. She stopped. He at once stopped too, keeping two

hundred yards behind her. Her next movement was as unexpected

as it was spirited. She suddenly whisked her wheels round and

dashed straight at him! He was as quick as she, however, and

darted off in desperate flight. Presently she came back up the

road again, her head haughtily in the air, not deigning to take

any further notice of her silent attendant. He had turned also,

and still kept his distance until the curve of the road hid them

from my sight.

I remained in my hiding-place, and it was well that I did so,

for presently the man reappeared cycling slowly back.

He turned in at the Hall gates and dismounted from his machine.

29.04.2007