passed them,
wiping the foam from his moustache with the back of his hand, and
adding: "I'll run right into court and be out again in a jiffy!"

"Stay long enough to see how things are going," called Cecil.

"All right! Guess the horses'll stand," he replied, and disappeared
within the building.

"Now, Bishop!" cried Spotts. And before the Englishman could think, his
coat and hat had been whipped off and thrown on the box seat along with
a small handbag which the actor carried, and he was being helped into
the very hot and unsavoury clothes of the driver.

"Lucky they fit you," said his friend. "Lead the horses carefully to the
corner, and see they don't make more noise than necessary. If the driver
should come out, you let 'em go; otherwise wait for me. Know where to
drive?"

"Along the park?"

"No," said Spotts. "Double several times, then try one of the avenues to
the Harlem River. There are plenty of bridges. Now, careful!" And as
Cecil moved slowly off, leading the horses towards the upper corner, the
actor lounged up to the entrance of the court, blocking the doorway with
his athletic figure.

After what seemed an eternity, Banborough achieved the corner of the
block, and, mounting the box, turned the horses' heads down the side
street, keeping an eagle eye upon the entrance of the court-room, within
which his companion had now disappeared. Perhaps three minutes had
elapsed when the actor came out, running quietly towards him so as not
to attract attention. The street was well-nigh deserted, and no one
seemed to have noticed the movements of the Black Maria.

"Walk slowly till we're round the corner, and then drive for all you're
worth!" gasped Spotts, springing on to the seat beside him.

Cecil followed his directions implicitly, and a moment later they went
tearing down the side street, and swung round the corner into an avenue,
nearly colliding with a cable-car in the process, and causing a wild
scatteration of passengers and pedestrians.

"Here, that won't do!" cried the actor above the rattle occasioned by
their rapid progress over the cobblestones. "Ring the bell, or we'll be
arrested!"

"Where?" called Banborough.

"That knob under your feet. Press it!"

The Englishman did as directed, and instantly the most hideous clamour
arose beneath the carriage. The horses, which had been flying before,
excited by the noise, put down their heads and tore blindly forward. The
vehicle rocked and swayed