Then he heard them, said, "By Jove!
that's Maria!" and started to run back. Sir Tancred ran by his side.
When they came round the promontory they saw Mrs. Biggleswade waving
frantically towards the station, and half-way to it two little figures
running. Mr. Biggleswade showed himself a man of action. He swung
round, and, with the swiftness of an accomplished boxer, dealt Sir
Tancred an unexpected blow on the side of the head which knocked him
over half-stunned, and almost in the same moment started to run after
the children. He was half a mile from them, and they were less than a
quarter of a mile from the station, but naturally he ran much faster.
As the children reached the platform the express steamed in. Tinker
hurried his prize into an empty third-class carriage, in the forepart
of the train, and pushed the ticketless Blazer under the seat. Then he
put his head out of the window, and saw to his disgust Mr. Biggleswade,
his coat-tails flying, two hundred yards from the station, yelling
lustily, but making a very good pace indeed for his flabby bulk. The
doors were shutting, and Tinker watched the guard breathlessly. When
he whistled, Mr. Biggleswade had yet fifty yards to go. At the sound
he yelled louder than ever, and made a tremendous spurt.
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