eceived a friendly cheer from the commercial
traveller, and a particularly uncomfortable smile from his silent
companion in the corner.

I was left behind! The bird had flown out of my very hand; and there
was nothing now but to return in confusion and report my misfortunes at
the bank.

Stay! I could telegraph to detain my man at Rugby. Let me see. "To
Station Master, Rugby. Detain Michael McCrane--bank robbery--tall,
dark--third-class--left Euston 1:30--I follow--Samuels." How would that
do? I was pleased with the look of it; and, in the fullness of my
heart, consulted the station-master.

He eyed me unfavourably.

"Who are you?" he had the boldness to inquire.

"I'm from the bank."

"Oh!" he said; and added, "your best plan is to follow him in the
supplemental. It will be up in five minutes. He's sure to be bound for
Fleetwood, and you'll catch him on the steamer. They won't stop him on
the road without a warrant. They don't know you."

I admitted the truth of this, and, after some inward debate--
particularly as I had a ticket through--I decided to take advice, and
avail myself of the "Supplemental."

It was painfully supplemental, that train--a string of the most
ramshackle carriages the line could muster, and the carriage in which I
found myself smelt as if it had been in Billingsgate for a month.
However, I could sit down this time. There was neither honeymoon,
commercial traveller, nor man in the corner to disturb my peace; only a
rollicking crowd of Irish harvest men on their way home, in spirits
which were not all of air.

I was claimed as one of their noble fraternity before we were many
stages on the road; and although I am happy to say I was not compelled
to take part in their potations, for the simple reason that they had
none left to offer me, I was constrained to sing songs, shout shouts,
abjure allegiance to the Union Jack, and utter aspirations for the long
life of Charlie Parnell and Father Mickey (I believe that was the
reverend gentleman's name), and otherwise abase myself, for the sake of
peace, and to prevent my head making acquaintance with the shillalahs of
the company. I got a little tired of it after a few hours' incessant
bawling, and was rather glad, by the assistance of a few half-crowns
(which I fervently trusted the manager would allow me to charge to his
account), to escape their company at Preston, and seek the shelter of a
more secluded compartment for the rest