'It was very well done,' said the Greek with gravity. 'I should never
have known you.' 'Your own disguise is admirable,' answered the Englishman, with cool
politeness. 'If I had not seen you without your mask the other day I
should not have recognised you.' 'Shall we go on?' inquired Logotheti, turning to Margaret.
'No,' she answered, rather sharply. 'Are you hurt?' she inquired,
looking at Lushington again.
He was busy with his nose, which he had neglected for a few moments. He
shook his head.
'I won't leave him here in this state,' Margaret said to Logotheti.
The Greek made a gesture of indifference, but said nothing. Meanwhile
Lushington got so far as to be able to speak again.
'Please go on,' he said. 'I can take care of myself, thank you. There
are no bones broken.' Logotheti inwardly regretted that his adversary had not broken his
neck, but he had tact enough to see that he must take Margaret's side
or risk losing favour in her eyes.
'I really don't see how we can leave you here,' he said to Lushington.
'Your bicycle is smashed. I had not realised that. I'll put what's left
of it into the car.' He jumped out as he spoke, and before Lushington could hinder him he
had hold of the broken wheel. But Lushington followed quickly, and
while he held his nose with his left hand, he grabbed the bicycle with
the other. It looked as if the two were going to try which could pull
harder.
'Let it alone, please,' said Lushington, speaking with difficulty.
'No, no'! protested Logotheti politely, for he wished to please
Margaret. 'You must really let me put it in.' 'Not at all!' retorted Lushington. 'I'll walk it to Chaville.' 'But I assure you, you can't!' retorted the Greek. 'Your hind wheel is
broken to bits! It won't go round. You would have to carry it!' And he gently pulled with both hands.
'Then I'll throw the beastly thing away!' answered Lushington, who did
not relinquish his hold. 'It's of no consequence!' 'On the contrary,' objected Logotheti, still pulling, 'I know about
those things. It can be made a very good bicycle again for next to
nothing.' 'All the better for the beggar who finds it!' cried the Englishman.
'Throw it over the fence!' 'You English are so extravagant,' said the Greek in a tone of polite
reproach, but not relinquishing his hold.
'Possibly, but it's my own bicycle, and I prefer to throw it away.' Margaret had watched the contest in silence. She now stepped out of the
car, came up to the two men and laid her hands on the object of
contention. Logotheti let go instantly, but Lushington did not.