rious crime against this Government, and until we
can prove ourselves innocent it's necessary to protect our liberties as
best we may. I fortunately have ample funds, and I can only say that it
will be a duty as well as a privilege to take you all to a place of
safety, and keep you there, as my guests, till happier times."

"Hear, hear!" said the tragedian from the back of the room, while the
Quaker settled himself into the most comfortable armchair with a sigh of
contentment.

"Very nicely spoken, young man," replied the older lady, whose
suspicions were only partially allayed, "but words aren't deeds, and
Canada, where I'm informed we're to be dumped, is a long way off; and if
you imagine you can go cavorting round the country with a Black Maria
for a whole afternoon without bringing the police down on you, you're
vastly mistaken!"

"Thee speaketh words of wisdom, but a full stomach fortifieth a stout
heart," said Friend Othniel.

"Yes," replied Smith, who took this remark to himself. "I ordered dinner
at six, thinking you'd be in then, and if I'm not mistaken it's here
now." And as he spoke the door opened and a waiter entered to lay the
table.

Conversation of a private nature was naturally suspended forthwith, and
the members of the A. B. C. Company sat in silence, hungrily eyeing the
board.

"Thee mayst lay a place for me, friend," said the Quaker to the waiter,
as he watched the preparations with bland enjoyment.

"Did you order any drinks?" asked Banborough of the tragedian.

"No, Bishop, I didn't," replied the latter. "As you're paying for the
show, I thought I'd leave you that privilege."

"Order six soda lemonades," said Banborough to the waiter, adding behind
his hand to Spotts, as he noted the gloom spread over the company: "No
liquor to-night. We need to keep our wits about us."

"Stop, friend," came the unctuous tones of the Quaker, arresting the
waiter as he was about to leave the room. "For myself I never take
strong waters, but thee forgettest, Bishop," giving Banborough the title
he had heard the others use, "thee forgettest that our revered friend,"
with a wave of his hand in Mrs. Mackintosh's direction, "hath an
affection of her lungs which requires her to take a brandy and soda for
her body's good before meals. Let it be brought at once!"

"Why, you impudent upstart!" gasped the old lady, as the door closed
behind the waiter. "How dare you say I drink!"

"Shoo!" returned Friend Othni