"Aye, aye, after him."
Sweeny took command.
"You four, Dabble, Blount, Williams and Lake, out of the window and over the roofs again. The rest of us will guard every door in the neighborhood."
The chosen four dropped from the window, and the crowd, Sweeny still in the lead, rushed out and downstairs as frantically as they had come up, leaving the attic to Moore and his guests. The poet sat down on an upset chair and breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's a comedian I am," said he. "Bessie, how does Drury Lane do without me?"
"I don't know," said the girl. "I am sure I could n't."
"My, oh, my!" panted Moore, "but you are learning the right things to say at the right time very quickly, Bessie."
The Prince emerged from his hiding-place.
"Bravely done, Mr. Moore," said he, laughing a little. "Egad, I 'd not trade this evening for any other in my experience."
"No?" asked Moore.