We started off, and ran at a steady trot till we reached the inn, to find that the cheering had been when the vans set out.
“Yes, they was a-cheerin’ away like fun,” said our informant, a rather beery-looking public-house hanger-on. “What, are you two left behind?”
“Yes,” said Mr Hallett, shortly. “How long have they been gone?”
“More’n quarter of ’n ’our,” said the man; “and I say, they just was on—all of ’em. The driver o’ the last one couldn’t hardly hold his reins.”
“What time did Messrs Ruddle and Lister go?”
“Who?” said the man.
“The gentlemen with the waggonette.”
“What, with them two gals? Oh! more’n ’n ’our ago. They wasn’t on.”
“How can we get back to town?”
“Walk,” said the man; “’less you like to take a fly.”