THE WEST SHORE.
185
Before Mrs. Multiple had time to express her aston
ishment at this information the butler entered the room,
crimson with suppressed laughter.
" He's a putting of 'em on," he exclaimed, with a
spasmodic burst, which he smothered with his hand.
" Hush I you idiot," whispered Sam, with a furious
gesture. " Have you frightened him ? "
" He was trembling like a leaf when I went in," said
the butler, composing his countenance with difficulty.
" He had just heard you call for a revolver. He wouldn't
hear of putting on the livery coat at first, though he
swore he would do anything rather than remain in the
house. I persuaded him by Baying I would bring his
own clothes to him if he would wait at the nearest public
house where he could change."
"Quite right," said Sam, nodding approvingly. "Now
go and hurry him up. Don't give him time for reflec
tion." The butler disappeared again, and Sam commenced
to arrange his somewhat disordered attire preparatory to
starting off on his expedition. Mr. Choke had evidently
lost no time in disguising himself, for a moment later
stealthy footsteps were audible in the passage. In an
instant Sum had bounded out, and came face to face with
Mr. Choke, who started back as though he hud boon
stung.
"Hullo I What does this mean?" exclaimed Sam,
fiercely.
" Please, sir, it's a friend of mine," said the butler,
with promptitude. " I was just agoin' to ask for the key
to let him out."
" What do you mean, sir, by having friends at this
time of day ?" cried Sam,, as though glad of an excuse to
vent hiB ill-humor. "Why, the fellow must have leen
here two hours and more. Where does your mastor
live ?" he inquired, addressing Mr. Choke abruptly.
The latter was evidently quite unprepared for this
question, but Sam's manner was bo peremptory that he
had no opportunity of considering his reply. He men
; tioned the name of a street in dangerous proximity to the
one in which he resided, apparently because it came first
to his mind.
"I will speak to you afterwards, Simmonds," said
Sam, taking his hat from the stand with an impulsive
movement; " and as for you, sir, I shull accompany you
home and complain to your master. I don't choose to
have other people's servants lurking for hours about my
house, and I've no doubt your master will be gratified to
hear how you waste your time."
Sam did not wait to observe the effect upon Mr. Choke
of this startling announcement The fact was be hardly
dared trust himself to look at him, for, after a single
glance at her unfortunate admirer, Mrs. Multiple hod
retired with precipitation into the background, and Sum
feared every momoat that her mirth would prove infec
tious. He therefore hastened to unlock the door, and
Mr. Choke followed him into the street, apparently in a
hopelessly dazed frame of mind. But all of a sudden the
unfortunate man seemed to realize his position. Ue
started, glanced nervously around him, and then put up
his hand to hail a cab.
"Hi I What are you about?" cried Sam. "I don't
want a cab. It is a short distance, and I prefer to walk.
You lead the way and I will follow."
Mr. Choke looked painfully undecided for a ixomcnt,
and glancod at Sam as though ho meditated making an
appeal to him. He checked himself, however, ami started
off with an oir of desporation down the street at a rapid
pace. Sam followed more leisurely at a little distance,
keeping him well in sight, and evidently keenly enjoying
the episode.
What Mr. Choke's feelings wero it was not dillloidt to
conjecture. He shambled along, with his eyes U)on the
pavement, overwhelmed with confusion, and keenly eon
scious of his ridiculous appearance. The clothes he
wore were many sizes too small for him, and though the
livery was of the quietest description, the brass buttons
and the striped waistcoat were unpleasantly conspicuous.
Possibly he may have consoled himself with the reflection
that he was not likely to be recognized in such a garb,
but if bo he was cruelly mistaken, Sam had arranged
that half a dozen irreverent young momlicrs of the club
to which Mr. Choko boloiiged should bo oil the alert, and
the consequence was that the poor wretch mot mora of
his acquaintances in a short distanco than he had ever
done before in his lifo. But at Sam's particular request
none of them gavo any outward sign of recognition, so
that the victim was spared tlio anticipation of tlie endless
chaff and ridiculo which awaited liim.
Sam had guossed, from tho resolute manner in which
Mr. Choke hurried along, that ho hud resolved to adopt
the wisest course under the circumstances, and make tho
best of his way homo, without wasting timo in futile
attempts to elude or shake off his wrsecutor. Ho was,
therefore, not surprised when Mr. Choke passed without
stopping along tho street which ho hod given as hid
address, and turnod his steps donperutoly toward his own
residence. On reaching his destination he paused on the
doorstop and turned round to Sam.
"This is the house," ho murmured, as tho latter
came up.
For a single moment Sum felt aoft-hourtod and in
clinod to bo moroiful. Mr. Choke's piteous expression
was more touching than tho most eloquent apjmid. But
tho recollection of the man's gratuitously insulting con
duct to his wife decided him not to falter in his purpoao.
Ho, therefore, said quietly: '
" Very wolL I will speak to your muster."
Mr. Choke gave a kind of gusp and proceeded to un
lock the door with a latchkey. Un probably intended, in
the comparative security of his own hotiso, to reveal Lis
identity and to get rid of Hum Ix'fore Mrs. Choko came
down. But, nuluckily, they had no sooner entered the
hall than a severe-looking elderly ludy appeared at the
top of the staircase The instant she perceived Mr.
Choke she threw np her bands and exclaimed:
" Good heavens, Martin ! What is the moaning of
this?"