can judge,' I assured him, 'it is
shining accurately on the back of your neck.'

"Of a sudden we found ourselves at the head of a pavement lined with
the red stern-lights of a rank of cabs and taxis. I had not the
vaguest notion of its name: but the street was obviously one of those
curious ones, unsuspected, and probably non-existent by day, in which
lurk the vehicles that can't be discovered when it's raining and you
want to get home from a theatre. 'Glow-worms!' announced Farrell.

"I tightened my grip under his funny-bone, and hailed the first
vehicle. It was a hansom. 'Engaged?' I asked.

"'All depends where you're going, sir,' said the cabby.

"'Wimbledon,' shouted Farrell, and broke away from me.
'Wimbledon for pleasure and the simple life! . . . You'll excuse
me--' he dodged towards the back of the cab: 'on these occasions--
always make a point take number.'

"'It's all right,' I spoke up to the cabman. 'My friend means the
Ritz. I'm taking him there.'

"'I shouldn't, if I was you,' said the man sourly; 'not unless he's
an American.'

"'He is,' said I, 'and from Texas. I am charged to deliver him at
the Ritz, where all will be explained': and I dashed around to the
rear of the cab, collared Farrell, and hoicked him inboard. . . .

"The cab was no sooner under way and steering west-by-south than
Farrell clutched hold of me and burst into tears on my shoulder.
It appeared, as I coaxed it from him, that his mind had cast back,
and he was lamenting the dearth of policemen in Soho.

"The hole above us opened, and the cabman spoke down.

"'Are you sure you meant the Ritz, sir--really?'

"'I don't want to compromise you,' said I. 'Drop us at the head of
St. James's Street.'

"He did so; took his fee, and hesitated for a moment before turning
his horse. 'Sure you can manage the gentleman, sir?' he asked.

"'Sure, thank you,' said I, and he drove away slowly. I steered
Farrell into the shelter of the Ritz's portico, facing Piccadilly."

"_They draw the blinds now (put in Otway) under the Lighting Order:
but in those days the Ritz was given--I won't say to advertising its
opulence--but to allowing a glimpse of real comfort to the itinerant
millionaire. Jimmy resumes:--_

"'Now, look here,' said I, indicating the show inside: 'I wasn't
hungry to start with: and I suggest we've both inhaled enough garlic
to put us off the manger for a fortnight. As for the bucket, you've
exceeded already, and