With a beating heart he took up the trail in another taxi-cab, and, arriving at Victoria, purchased tickets for himself and Blink, and inquired for the Brighton train.
"Hurry up!" replied the official.Mr.Lavender ran, searching the carriage windows for any indication of his objective.The whistle had been blown, and he was in despair, when his eye caught the label "Reserved" on a first-class window, and looking in he saw a single person evidently of the highest consequence smoking a cigar, surrounded by papers.Without a moment's hesitation he opened the door, and, preceded by Blink, leaped in."This carriage is reserved, sir," said the Personage, as the train moved out.
"I know," said Mr.Lavender, who had fallen on to the edge of the seat opposite; "and only the urgency of my business would have caused me to violate the sanctity of your retreat, for, believe me, I have the instincts if not the habits of a gentleman."The Personage, who had made a move of his hand as if to bring the train to a standstill, abandoning his design, replaced his cigar, and contemplated Mr.Lavender from above it.