His Lordship's Leopard: A Truthful Narration of Some Impossible Facts. Wells David Dwight
to Cecil, as she passed him: "Don't be frightened; her bark's worse than her bite." And she entered the house laughing.
"But where are the others?" asked the author.
"Sh!" whispered the tragedian, casting a suspicious glance at the Quaker. "We're not alone."
"Yes," said Spotts, "the Bishop's got a new convert."
"Oh," returned Banborough, "I forgot you hadn't met this gentleman. We inadvertently rescued him, and since then he's done us a similar service twice over. I really don't know what he's called. The clothes belong to Spotts."
"I thought I recognised the costume," said Smith. Then, turning to the stranger, he demanded, abruptly: "What's your name?"
"I have been known by many," came the suave tones of the Quaker, "but for the purposes of our brief acquaintance thee mayst call me Friend Othniel."
The tragedian gave a grunt of disapproval.
"I think he can be trusted," remarked Spotts. "He's certainly stood by us well, so far. Now tell us about Kerrington and Mill."
"Yes, I'm most anxious to know what's become of them," said the Englishman. And the three drew nearer together, while the Quaker, turning to the road, stood basking in the sunshine, his broad flabby hands clasped complacently before him.
Tybalt Smith, after casting another furtive glance in Friend Othniel's direction, murmured the words:
"Shoe-strings and a sandwich!"
"Eh? What?" queried Banborough.
"Our two friends," continued the tragedian, "through the powerful aid of a member of our fraternity, whose merits the public have hitherto failed to recognise, have sought refuge in the more humble walks of life to escape the undesirable publicity forced upon them by you! Mr. Kerrington, disguised as a Jew pedlar, is now dispensing shoe-strings and collar-buttons on lower Broadway, while Mr. Mill is at present taking a constitutional down Fifth Avenue encased in a sandwich frame calling attention to the merits of Backer's Tar Soap. He is, if I may so express it, between the boards instead of on the boards – a little pleasantry of my own, you will observe."
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