“How should I know?—in bicycling costume, the fellow said.”
“But what height?—What complexion?”
“Didn’t ask,” said Phipps.
“Didn’t ask! Nonsense,” said Dangle.
“Ask him yourself,” said Phipps. “He’s an ostler chap in the White Hart,—short, thick-set fellow, with a red face and a crusty manner. Leaning up against the stable door. Smells of whiskey. Go and ask him.”
“Of course,” said Dangle, taking his straw hat from the shade over the stuffed bird on the chiffonier and turning towards the door. “I might have known.”
Phipps’ mouth opened and shut.
“You’re tired, I’m sure, Mr. Phipps,” said the lady, soothingly. “Let me ring for some tea for you.” It suddenly occurred to Phipps that he had lapsed a little from his chivalry. “I was a little annoyed at the way he rushed me to do all this business,” he said. “But I’d do a hundred times as much if it would bring you any nearer to her.” Pause. “I would like a little tea.”
“I don’t want to raise any false hopes,” said Widgery. “But I do not believe they even came to Chichester. Dangle’s a very clever fellow, of course, but sometimes these Inferences of his—”
“Tchak!” said Phipps, suddenly.