"You frightful ass!" muttered Armstrong in a savage undertone, heard by Pratt alone. "You've done nothing but drivel for the last half-hour."
"All right, old mule," retorted Pratt, grinning.
"Yes, it will carry you home," Warrender was saying, "but I'm afraid you'll have to get a new tyre."
"Thanks so much. It is really awfully good of you," replied the girl.
"I'm sorry I've been such a time."
"I've been very well entertained. It hasn't seemed long at all. Thank you again. Good-bye."
She mounted the bicycle, beamed an impartial smile upon the three, and sped away down the road.
CHAPTER IV
THE FACE IN THE THICKET
When the three friends arrived at the inn it was full to the door. Rogers, wigless again, caught sight of Warrender over the heads of the crowd, and came from behind the counter, edging his way outwards through the press of villagers.