t. Hold him up, Smith. Wants
to lie down, constable. Thinks snow is clean sheets."

"Oh, that's it, is it, sir?" said John Whyley, examining each face in
turn a little suspiciously. "Thought as it was a patient--"

"Yes," said the man with the moustache, speaking in a high-pitched
voice, "doctor keeps some good stuff. Not all physic, policeman. Here,
hold up." This last to the man he was supporting, and upon whose head
he now placed a soft felt hat, which he had held in his hand.

"Gent seems rather on, sir," said John Whyley, going up more closely.

"Ah!" said the first speaker, "you smelt his breath."

"'Nough to knock you down, sir," said the constable. "He'll want to
come and see the doctor again to-morrow morning."

There was a very strong odour of spirits, and in the gloom it did not
occur to the constable that the two men who seemed most intoxicated were
very bright-eyed, and yet ghastly pale. He merely drew back for the
group to pass.

"Got to take him far, sir?"

"Far? No, constable. Let him lie down and go to sleep. Dishgusting
thing man can't come to see friend without getting drunk. Look at me--
and Shmith."

"Yes, sir; you're all right enough," said the constable. "Shall I lend
you a hand?"

"No," said the man with the moustache, "we're all right; get us a cab."

"Where, sir?" said the constable, with a grin; "don't believe such a
thing's to be got, sir, a night like this. All gone home."

At that moment from out of the fog there was a sudden jolt and the whish
of a whip.

"Hullo?" shouted the policeman.

"Hullo!" came back in a husky voice, as if spoken through layers of
flannel, "what street's this?"

"Ramillies. Here's a fare."

There was a muttering, then a bump, jolt, and jangle of a cab heard, and
a huge figure slowly seemed to loom up out of the fog in a spectral way,
leading a gigantic horse, beyond which was something dark.

"What's the row?" said the husky voice.

"These gents want a cab."

"Oh, but I can't drive nowheres to-night. I drove right into one pub,
and then nearly down two areas. Where do you want to go."

"John's Hotel, Surrey Street, old man. Look sharp. Five bob."

"Five what, sir? Why, I wouldn't stir a step under ten. I'm just going
to get my old horse into the first mews, shove on his nosebag and then
get inside and go to sleep. I can't drive. I shall have to lead him."

"Give him ten," said the man with the sharp voice.

"All r