-mill. Joyously did Leonora and I
call a passing chariot, and, with the mummy between us, we drove to our
abode. I was surprised on the way by receiving a pettish push from
Leonora's foot.

'Don't tread on my toes,' she said, though I had not even stirred. I
told her as much, and we were getting a little animated when my bonnet
was twitched off and thrown out into the darkness.

'Leonora,' I said severely, 'these manners are unworthy of a lady!'

'I declare, my dear Polly,' she replied, 'that I never even moved!' and
as she was obviously in earnest I had to accept her word.

When we reached home, after a series of petty but provoking
accidents,[25] we first locked up the mummy very carefully in the spare
bedroom. To-morrow would be time enough, we said, to consult the wizard
as to our next movement. We ordered a repast of the native viands
(which included, I remember, a small but savoury fish, the Blo-ta), and
sought our couches, in better spirits than usual.

[25]
I say, are you not gliding insensibly into _The Fallen
Idol_?--PUBLISHER.

Not a bit, you wait and you'll see.--ED.

Next morning, long before Leonora was awake, the young but intelligent
Slavi (so the common people call housemaids) crept into my chamber with
a death-white face.

'Omum,' she said (it is a term of courtesy), 'wot a night we've been
having?'

'Why, what is the matter, Jemimaran?' I asked, for that was her
melodious native name.

'There's _something_ in the spare room, mum, a-carrying on horful. The
bell ringing all night, and the Thing screaming and walking up and down
as restless! I'm a-going to give warning, mum,' she added
confidentially.

'Why, you've _given_ it,' I said, to reassure her. 'Forewarned is
forearmed.'

'Four-legged It do run sometimes, like a beast, mum, wailing terrible.
Up and down, up and down It goes, and always ringing the bell, and
crying high for a brandy-and-soda, mum, like a creature tormented.'[26]

[26]
Do take care. This is copyright! Don't you remember Mr.
Hyde?--PUBLISHER.

Neither Hyde nor Hidol, you're so nervous. Do wait till the
end.--ED.

Wish it was come!--PUBLISHER.

'Well,' I asked, though every hair upon my head stood erect with horror
(adding greatly to the peculiarity of my appearance), 'well, did you
take It what It asked for?'

'Yes, mum; for very fear I dared not refuse. And when I had handed it
in by a chink in th