Mrs. Briggs knew her company: there was something in the
very name of a constable which sent them all a-flying.
After running a reasonable time, Mr. Billings stopped. But the
great Moffat was nowhere to be seen, and Polly Briggs had likewise
vanished. Then Tom bethought him that he would go back to his
mother; but, arriving at the gate of the gardens, was refused
admittance, as he had not a shilling in his pocket. "I've left,"
says Tommy, giving himself the airs of a gentleman, "some friends in
the gardens. I'm with his Excellency the Bavarian henvy."
"Then you had better go away with him," said the gate people.
"But I tell you I left him there, in the grand circle, with a lady;
and, what's more, in the dark walk, I have left a silver-hilted
sword."
"Oh, my Lord, I'll go and tell him then," cried one of the porters,
"if you will wait."
Mr. Billings seated himself on a post near the gate, and there
consented to remain until the return of his messenger. The latter
went straight to the dark walk, and found the sword, sure enough.
But, instead of returning it to its owner this discourteous knight
broke the trenchant blade at the hilt; and flinging the steel away,
pocketed the baser silver metal, and lurked off by the private door
consecrated to the waiters and fiddlers.
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