Holford threw the first pistol hastily away from him, and drew forth the second.
But at that moment a powerful grasp seized him from behind,—his arm was knocked upwards,—the pistol went off into the air,—and a well-known voice cried in his ears, "My God! Harry, what madness is this?"
Several other persons had by this time collected on the spot; and the most cordial shouts of "God save the Queen!" "God save the Prince!" burst from their lips.
Her Majesty bowed in a most graceful and grateful manner: the Prince raised his hat in acknowledgment of the sympathy and attachment manifested towards his royal spouse and himself;—and the phaeton rolled rapidly away towards Hyde Park, in obedience to the wishes of the Queen and the orders of the Prince.
"What madness is this, I say, Harry?" repeated Crankey Jem, without relaxing his hold upon the would-be regicide.
But Holford hung down his head, and maintained a moody silence.
"Do you know him?" "Who is he?" were the questions that were now addressed to Crankey Jem from all sides.
But before he could answer his interrogators, two policemen broke through the crowd, and took Holford into custody.
"We must take him to the Home Office," said one of the officers, who was a serjeant, to his companion.
"Yes, Mr. Crisp," was the reply.