"Of course I shall do nothing of the sort," said Simpkins. "I shall simply explain to Miss King that owing to some sort of muddle--" "If I were you, Simpkins, I shouldn't talk too much. From the gaspy sort of way you're speaking now, I imagine you're not in particularly good training, and you have a long ride before you. It will be most unfortunate if, when I've planted you down in front of Miss King, you are unable to do anything except pant. No girl would stand that. By far the best plan for you is to breathe entirely through your nose, and sit well back in your saddle, so that your chest and lungs are kept properly expanded." Simpkins spoke no more for some time. He may have considered the advice good. He may have felt an increasing difficulty in talking when riding very rapidly. When they reached Ballymoy there were signs of unusual excitement in the street. Doyle and O'Donoghue were standing on the steps of the hotel. A small crowd had gathered on the road in front of them. Most of the shopkeepers were at the doors of their shops. A considerable number of women were looking out of the upper windows of the houses. A cheer arose as the two bicyclists passed through the town. Meldon took off his hat and waved it. "Musha, good luck to you," shouted a woman's voice. "That," said Meldon, "is almost certainly Sabina Gallagher. She's naturally greatly interested on account of her cousin." "Interested in what?" gasped Simpkins. "Your marriage," said Meldon. "I mentioned it to Doyle this morning, and he has evidently told every one about the place." Simpkins stopped abruptly and got off his bicycle. "I'm damned," he said, "if I'm going to stand this." Meldon also dismounted. "Get up at once, Simpkins," he said. "We are late enough as it is." "I'm going straight home," said Simpkins. "From the look of Doyle and O'Donoghue and the crowd there was in the street," said Meldon, "I should say that they'll probably mob you if you go back now. You're not over and above popular in the place as things stand; and, if the people think that you're behaving badly to Miss King, they'll very likely kill you. From what I've heard since I've been here I don't expect the police will interfere to save you." "I'm not going to be made a public laughing stock." "You'll be that and worse if you turn back. There isn't a woman or a girl about the place but will be making jokes about you if you funk it now. Come on." Simpkins looked back at the street he had just left. The people were standing together gazing after him curiously. He mounted his bicycle and rode on, followed by Meldon. "I shall explain to Miss King," he said, "that the unpleasant situation in which we find ourselves placed is in no way my fault." "You can try that if you like," said Meldon. "But I don't expect she'll be at all satisfied." CHAPTER XXIII.