"It's all against rule and regulation, and that sort of thing," said the
sergeant, as he and Harry Clayton were being jolted over the stones in a
Hansom cab; "but ours is a particular case. The old gentleman's there
long before this, sir. He seemed to revive like magic as soon as ever I
told him the news. He just hid his face for a few moments, and then
said quite sharp, `Go and fetch Mr Clayton, and bring him after me,'
telling me, of course, where you were gone; and here I am, sir."
"But it seems so strange," said Clayton. "I can't understand it."
"Strange, sir! 'Pon my soul, sir, if you'll excuse me for saying so,
I'm quite ashamed of myself. Thought I was up to more than that. And
yet, here's all the wind taken out of my sails, and I'm nowhere."