"Then I'm hanged if I'm going to walk with you—a mean shop-thief like you!" And, as he spoke, he gave himself a violent twist and wrenched himself away from Arthur's detaining hold, and the next minute sat down on the pavement the very picture of helpless imbecility.
Molly uttered a slight scream, and Arthur looked at him for a minute, wondering what he should do next.
At last he turned to Molly and said: "I cannot leave him where he is, dear. Will you mind going to the next street and calling a cab? Or will you stand and watch him while I go for it?"
"Oh no, no! I would rather run a mile than be near him when he looks like that! Oh, poor Aunt Mary! What will she say!" exclaimed the girl, as she ran off to where she knew a cab would be found. She was not gone long, and she happened to find the man who had taken Adrian home before.
"Good evening, sir!" he said to Arthur as he jumped from the box to help his fare into the vehicle.
"You'll know where to take him this time," said Arthur.
"Yes, sir, I've taken him twice since you went with us," said the cabman.
And Adrian was deposited in the bottom of the cab, and then the brother and sister turned homewards.
[CHAPTER XI]
WHAT DID HE MEAN?