re was an eddy of furious,
struggling men, with Lord Barrymore's thin, flushed face and Hooper's
bulldog jowl in the centre of it. A moment after they were both upon the
ground, and a dozen sticks were rising and falling above them.

"Let me up! You're killing me! For God's sake let me up!" cried a
crackling voice.

Hooper fought mute, like the bulldog he was, till his senses were beaten
out of him.

Bruised, kicked, and mauled, never did their worst victim come so badly
from the Gardens as the bully and his patron that night. But worse than
the ache of wounds for Lord Barrymore was the smart of the mind as he
thought how every club and drawing-room in London would laugh for a week
to come at the tale of his Amelia and her aunt.

Sir Charles had stood, rocking with laughter, upon the bench which
overlooked the scene. When at last he made his way back through the
crowds to his yellow phaeton, he was not entirely surprised to find that
the back seat was already occupied by two giggling females, who were
exchanging most unladylike repartees with the attendant grooms.

"You young rascals!" he remarked, over his shoulder, as he gathered up
his reins.

The two females tittered loudly.

"Uncle Charles!" cried the elder, "may I present Mr. Jack Jarvis, of
Brasenose College? I think, uncle, you should take us somewhere to sup,
for it has been a vastly fatiguing performance. To-morrow I will do
myself the honour to call, at your convenience, and will venture to bring
with me the receipt for one thousand pounds."

V. THE HORROR OF THE HEIGHTS
(WHICH INCLUDES THE MANUSCRIPT KNOWN AS THE JOYCE-ARMSTRONG FRAGMENT)

The idea that the extraordinary narrative which has been called the Joyce-
Armstrong Fragment is an elaborate practical joke evolved by some unknown
person, cursed by a perverted and sinister sense of humour, has now been
abandoned by all who have examined the matter. The most _macabre_ and
imaginative of plotters would hesitate before linking his morbid fancies
with the unquestioned and tragic facts which reinforce the statement.
Though the assertions contained in it are amazing and even monstrous, it
is none the less forcing itself upon the general intelligence that they
are true, and that we must readjust our ideas to the new situation. This
world of ours appears to be separated by a slight and precarious margin
of safety from a most singular and unexpected danger. I will endeavour
in this