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XX. THE PURSUIT
And now to tell of Mr. Hoopdriver, rising with the sun, vigilant,
active, wonderful, the practicable half of the lead-framed window stuck
open, ears alert, an eye flickering incessantly in the corner panes, in
oblique glances at the Angel front. Mrs. Wardor wanted him to have
his breakfast downstairs in her kitchen, but that would have meant
abandoning the watch, and he held out strongly. The bicycle, cap-a-pie,
occupied, under protest, a strategic position in the shop. He was
expectant by six in the morning. By nine horrible fears oppressed him
that his quest had escaped him, and he had to reconnoitre the Angel
yard in order to satisfy himself. There he found the ostler (How are the
mighty fallen in these decadent days!) brushing down the bicycles of the
chase, and he returned relieved to Mrs. Wardor's premises. And about
ten they emerged, and rode quietly up the North Street. He watched them
until they turned the corner of the post office, and then out into the
road and up after them in fine style! They went by the engine-house
where the old stocks and the whipping posts are, and on to the
Chichester road, and he followed gallantly. So this great chase began.
They did not look round, and he kept them just within sight, getting
down if he chanced to draw closely upon them round a corner. By riding
vigorously he kept quite conveniently near them, for they made but
little hurry. He grew hot indeed, and his knees were a little stiff to
begin with, but that was all. There was little danger of losing them,
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