four o’clock before
The tramps had securely hidden themselves , the officer said , and no trace of them had been found in other towns in that vicinity . The second delay was caused by a telegram from Miss Stuart 's dressmaker , stating that a dress had been expressed to her which would reach Tarrytown that morning . Bab and Mollie were also expecting an express package of fresh clothes and their organdie dresses , which they felt , now , they would assuredly need . Consequently the party waited patiently for these ever-necessary feminine adornments , and it was four o'clock before the girls started . A third delay was caused by the puncture of a tire just as they were leaving the hotel . Now they were obliged to go to the nearest garage and have it repaired , which consumed another three quarters of an hour . However , it was pleasanter riding in the cool of the afternoon , and they still hoped to reach Ten Eyck Hall long before dark .