As I waited behind the hedge, I grieved for the old mare. Hawkins
evidently intended urging her into something more rapid than the walk she
had used for so many years, and I feared that at her advanced age the
excitement might prove injurious.

But Maud broke into such a sedate canter when Hawkins had thumped her ribs
a few times with his heels, and her kindly old face seemed to wear such a
gentle expression as she approached, that I breathed easier.

"Now, Griggs!" cried Hawkins, coming abreast. "Watch--now!"

He thrust one hand behind, grasped the lever, and gave it a tug. The
little rods remained in the air.

A puzzled expression flitted over Hawkins' face, and as he cantered by he
appeared to tug a trifle harder.

This time something happened.

I heard a whir like the echo of a sawmill, and saw several yards of steel
spring shoot out of the inwards of the machine. I heard a sort of frantic
shriek from Maud S. I saw a sudden cloud of pebbles and dust in the road,
such as I should imagine would be kicked up by an exploding shell--and
that was all.

Hawkins, Maud, and the infernal machine were making for the county town
with none of the grace, but nearly all the speed, of a shooting star.

For a few seconds I stood dazed.