As they were opening the bottle, I
inquired casually the way to the Red Gap bathing-place.
The landlord gave me directions which confused me worse than ever,
ending at last with the concise remark: "An' then, zur, two or dree more
turns to the right an' to the left 'ull bring 'ee right up alongzide o'
ut."
I despaired of finding the way by these unintelligible sailing-orders;
but just at that moment, as luck would have it, another cyclist flew
past--the first soul I had seen on the road that morning. He was a man
with the loose-knit air of a shop assistant, badly got up in a
rather loud and obtrusive tourist suit of brown homespun, with baggy
knickerbockers and thin thread stockings. I judged him a gentleman on
the cheap at sight. "Very Stylish; this Suit Complete, only thirty-seven
and sixpence!" The landlady glanced out at him with a friendly nod. He
turned and smiled at her, but did not see me; for I stood in the shade
behind the half-open door. He had a short black moustache and a not
unpleasing, careless face. His features, I thought, were better than his
garments.
However, the stranger did not interest me just then I was far too full
of more important matters.
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