Meldon left the hotel and mounted his bicycle without speaking another word.

He rode rapidly out of the town, followed at some distance by O'Donoghue, who was a cyclist of inferior strength and energy.

For the first four miles the road to Ballymoy goes steadily up hill.

Meldon, gripping his handle-bars tightly, rode at a fast rate.

O'Donoghue was left further and further behind.