"Money," said Jessie. "I didn't think of money."

Hullo! Here's a tandem bicycle," said Mr. Hoopdriver, abruptly, and

pointing with his cigarette.

She looked, and saw two little figures emerging from among the trees at

the foot of the slope. The riders were bowed sternly over their work and

made a gallant but unsuccessful attempt to take the rise. The machine

was evidently too highly geared for hill climbing, and presently the

rearmost rider rose on his saddle and hopped off, leaving his companion

to any fate he found proper. The foremost rider was a man unused to

such machines and apparently undecided how to dismount. He wabbled a

few yards up the hill with a long tail of machine wabbling behind

him. Finally, he made an attempt to jump off as one does off a single

bicycle, hit his boot against the backbone, and collapsed heavily,

falling on his shoulder.

She stood up. "Dear me!" she said. "I hope he isn't hurt."

The second rider went to the assistance of the fallen man.

Hoopdriver stood up, too. The lank, shaky machine was lifted up and

wheeled out of the way, and then the fallen rider, being assisted, got

up slowly and stood rubbing his arm. No serious injury seemed to be

done to the man, and the couple presently turned their attention to the

232

The Wheels of Chance