[The Slowcoach by E. V. Lucas]@TWC D-Link book
The Slowcoach

CHAPTER 17
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THE ADVENTURE OF THE LOST BABY They entered Cheltenham at about half-past eleven, and were having lunch on the top of Leckhampton Hill, on the other side of it, by half-past one.

Robert had not allowed any stop in Cheltenham except for shopping.

"We don't want towns," he said, "except historic ones." "But this is historic," said Jack; "Jessop was at school here." The pull up Leckhampton Hill was very stiff, and they were all glad to take lunch easily, and since Robert had arranged a short day--only three or four miles more, to a very nice-looking spot on the other side of Birdlip--they rested with clear consciences; and, as it happened, rested again in the Birdlip Hotel, where they had tea in the garden overlooking the Severn Valley on the top of just such a precipice as Bredon.
It was half-past three before they started again on their next five miles, and they had done about three of them, and had just passed Teddington, when Gregory, who was walking with Kink beside Moses, suddenly dashed ahead towards a bundle which was lying in the middle of the road.
He bent down over it, and then began to shriek for the others to come too.
"What is it ?" cried Jack, as they raced up.
"It's a baby!" Gregory said, wild with excitement.

"A real baby!" Janet, who had been behind, sprang forward as she heard these remarkable words, and easily reached the bundle first.
"So it is," she exclaimed, picking it tenderly up and opening the wraps round its face.
It was a swarthy mite, very tightly bound into its clothes.
"What an extraordinary thing!" said Mary.

"Fancy finding a baby on the road!" "It has probably been abandoned," said Hester.


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