"Oh, we make that a part of our business."
A hundred cabmen yelled and shouted; but at a sign from Merrihew's new acquaintance they subsided or turned their attention elsewhere. This sign of respect made a still deeper impression on Merrihew.
"I'll bet a dollar he's an admiral!" he thought.
At length they came to an omnibus. The admiral beckoned to Merrihew to step in. The luggage was thrown on top.
"I am very grateful to you," said Merrihew, offering his hand.
The admiral shook it somewhat doubtfully, tipped his cap, and went hurriedly back to the dogana, or custom-house.
Shortly after Hillard appeared.
"We shan't go up in the omnibus," he said. "We'll take a carriage."
Merrihew looked around in vain for his distinguished acquaintance.
"What did you give the porter?" Hillard asked as they drove off.