He had been riding at the top of his speed since he left Donard, and there were still six miles between him and Ballymoy.

Meldon led off at a racing speed, leaving the doctor to follow him through a choking cloud of dust.

About three miles outside Ballymoy, O'Donoghue, having entirely lost sight of Meldon, sat down to rest on the side of the road.

The pedal was holding to its place, and he had no hope of seeing his companion again.
Meldon propped his bicycle up outside the door of the hotel, walked into the hall, and shouted for Doyle.
"I could do," he said, "with a cup of tea, if you'll be so good as to tell Sabina Gallagher to make it for me." "I'll do that," said Doyle.

"I'd do more than that for you, Mr.
Meldon.