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If it hadn't and we went that way, we could nip into the first train and get clean away. But when this picket sees us driving straight on to Ecclesthorpe, they'll sit down at the Dip to wait till we never come. I shall spring the Dip at such a pace that these flannelled fools'll yell like a school-treat, and the picket'll forget 'em." "But why should they even suspect?"
And their five bases, as Pépe showed upon the table with bread-crumbs, were set at Gallowstree Dip, in the hollow half-way between "The Goat in Boots" and Ecclesthorpe; again, hard by the railway-junction of Harthborough; thirdly, at the joining of the Ecclesthorpe parish-road with the highway to London; fourthly, between this and Millsborough, at "The Coach and Horses" Inn; and fifth, by Margetstowe village, where the woodland track from Monkswood Cottage runs into the seaward road over against "The Goat in Boots."
Five parties had Melchard sent out from Millsborough; two cars, as if going to the fair and cricket match at Ecclesthorpe, or the races at Timsdale-Horton, each with four men; and three motor-cycles with sidecars, two men apiece.
"Then leave Fancy in staable," said Dick, "and drive owd Tod unicorn into Ecclesthorpe wi' style." Ned Blossom chuckled foolishly, and took the tankard Dick was offering, handle free, to his fingers.
As the monster drew near, making his way savagely towards the stables, there thrust himself in the way Bob Woodfall, the good-natured champion of the village six feet two inches and fourteen stone of bone and muscle, good cricket and five years' war record, dressed in country-made flannels, ready for his place in the Ecclesthorpe team. "Hey, man!" he cried good-naturedly.
So from far and wide those who had not gone to Timsdale-Horton races came always on the third Saturday in June to the "Ecclesthorpe Fixture." As he brought his horses to a stand, Dick perceived that, while some notice was given to the oddity of his team, scarce a glance was bestowed on its unusual driver.
"Five fifteen," said the girl. "Lunnon way." "That'll be it. We're takin' 't easy-like o'er moor. Now, Ah do call to mind there be a track to left, some way down t' ro'd, as'll take 'ee gentle and pleasant 'tween two gradely hummocks down into Harthborough. But how far out o' Ecclesthorpe that track takes off the pike, I can't bring to mind.
He took the glass and plate and a pat on the shoulder to 'Minta. "You just make un go doan, lovey," he said. "More eaten, more stomick next time. Eat slow and steady, says Dr. Pape." Back in the bar, he buried his nose in his tankard. For the tenth time Plum-face summed up his woes. "Boy and man, nineteen year Ah've tooled St. Asaph's Eleven to Ecclesthorpe June Fixture.
Gradely chap. Champion bat 'e be, nobbut 'e's a parson." "Then I'll drive 'em," said Dick, "and you get a lift o'er to Ecclesthorpe later, an' tool 'em home. 'Long about that time you'll be rested, an' Tod'll be after his oats." Blossom nodded, lifting his tankard and waving it on the way to his mouth, in feeble farewell. As he went out Dick glanced sideways at Amaryllis.
"Then if ye'll bid landlord have Ned Blossom sent on t' Ecclesthorpe when he be sober, I'll get t' three-cornered team hitched up." And Dick went towards the stable, but turned back. "Ought t' 'ave said, sir," he explained, "as I'll drive 'ee, so be as there's room for my daughter." "The pretty girl on the bench there? Why, of course there's room. Does she want to see the match?"
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