But the next instant the rich brogue of a tender whisper in her ear dispelled all doubt.
"You've forgotten the scratches, my darling," said O'Hara, as he laid her preciously upon the cushions of the chaise.
Here Mr. Mahoney and his comrade—which latter bore a curious resemblance in build and gait to one of the sporting Marquis's own celebrated gladiators—came running up to take their seats. In leaped O'Hara—the coachman lifted his whip, and the team that Phoebus might have envied started up the length of Milsom Street in style.
*****
The chairmen, drawing their breath with some difficulty after their spell of strangulation, stared in amazement at the clattering shadow as it retreated up the steep street; and then back, and in fresh amazement, at the yellow guinea which had been pressed, and now glinted, in the palm of their hands.
Presently a simultaneous smile overspread their honest countenances.
"A queer go," said the first, easing and readjusting his necklace. "Lud, the little madam did squeak!"
"I'd let them all squeak at the same price," said the other, pocketing his coin, and resuming his place in rear of the sedan. "But come, Bill, we must go report this 'orrible crime. Rabbit me!—what's that?"
A blood-curdling wail had risen out of the night, from his very elbow it seemed. It circled in frightful cadence, and died away in ghost-like fashion.
"'T—'tis but a sick cat, I hope," stammered the first chairman, and dived for the chair-poles in marked hurry.