t occasion.

'Well, when he had accomplished a good part of the journey he asked
himself, "Can I do it after all?" He took out his watch, in order to
ascertain what time was left him. He found that the way had occupied him
longer than he had calculated; in fact, it was clearly impossible that he
could go on to the instrument-maker, and also get home for dinner. He had
a small party of guests that evening, and thus his punctual arrival was
imperative. Having considered the dilemma for a minute, he wheeled about,
satisfied that he must give up his mission if he would not spoil the
dinner party. He started back in a great hurry, and at once the cry was
raised, "Stop thief! Stop thief!"

'It appeared that a policeman, full of suspicion, had been watching the
not very fashionable bearer of the parcels. When Sir John came to his
sudden halt, this fellow reasoned, "Ah! he observes me; my suspicions are
confirmed." There could be no manner of doubt, on Sir John setting to run
in the opposite direction. The policeman shouted, "Stop thief!" and
rushed after the astronomer, a tail of curious people gathering from all
sides. Sir John jogged on, heedless of the noise, ignorant of its cause,
until the policeman brought him up. What was the matter? The man of the
law looked awful things, and kept a stern eye upon his prisoner, for that
was now Sir John's position.

'He explained that he was hurrying home for dinner, that his wife and
friends would be waiting him, and that to be detained in such fashion was
a trifle absurd, especially as he was Sir John Herschel. "Sir John
Herschel!" quoth the policeman; "that's your game, is it? No, no, my
friend; you'll have to come to the police-station with me." And away he
marched the most eminent astronomer of many a year.

'At the station Sir John could only protest his identity anew, and that
his account of the parcels was correct. The officials, secure in their
man, commended him on his report of himself, which, they joked, was
capital. Sir John Herschel! A brilliant idea! In the end Sir John had to
send for friends who could vouch for him, and who were amazed at his
plight. With many expressions of regret for the blunder, the police then
allowed him to depart. He was late, to be sure, for dinner, but the worst
of it was that he had no excuse to offer; at all events he had none which
he cared, then and there, to communicate to his wife and guests.'

Nobody likes to be haled before the worl