Ridgwell and Christine, who were listening intently, could hear the scurrying of flying feet racing along. The sound drew nearer and nearer, until several dark forms were jostling each other immediately in front of where they stood, and they could feel the warm breath of some living things upon their hands. Suddenly in the darkness there was a chorus of hoarse laughter.
Ridgwell and Christine started slightly.
"Are they spirits?" inquired Ridgwell, with a note of anxiety in his voice.
"No," vouchsafed the Lion, "only the four merry laughing little Lions from outside Westminster Abbey. They are the most ridiculous creatures in all London.
"Stop laughing," commanded the Lion.
"Hear me, Gamble, Grin, Grub, and Carry-on-Merry, and hearken attentively.
"Carry-on-Merry, have you all stopped laughing?" demanded the Lion.
"Yes, mighty Lal, we are simply grinning at present, which is as near to being serious as we can ever become. We are only waiting for your commands."
The Lion lifted up his mighty head and called, "Silence, Dolphins."
Immediately the curious sounds of humming ceased.