themselves inside, and pulled down the blinds; a couple of chairmen

were speedily found; and the procession started in grand order. The

specials surrounded the body of the vehicle; Mr Grummer and Mr

Dubbley marched triumphantly in front; Mr Snodgrass and Mr Winkle

walked arm-in-arm behind; and the unsoaped of Ipswich brought up

the rear.

The shopkeepers of the town, although they had a very indistinct

notion of the nature of the offence, could not but be much edified and

gratified by this spectacle. Here was the strong arm of the law, coming

down with twenty gold-beater force, upon two offenders from the

metropolis itself; the mighty engine was directed by their own

magistrate, and worked by their own officers; and both the criminals,

by their united efforts, were securely shut up, in the narrow compass

of one sedan-chair. Many were the expressions of approval and

admiration which greeted Mr Grummer, as he headed the cavalcade,

staff in hand; loud and long were the shouts raised by the unsoaped;

and amidst these united testimonials of public approbation, the

procession moved slowly and majestically along.

Mr Weller, habited in his morning jacket, with the black calico sleeves,

was returning in a rather desponding state from an unsuccessful

survey of the mysterious house with the green gate, when, raising his

eyes, he beheld a crowd pouring down the street, surrounding an

object which had very much the appearance of a sedan-chair. Willing

to divert his thoughts from the failure of his enterprise, he stepped

aside to see the crowd pass; and finding that they were cheering away,

very much to their own satisfaction, forthwith began (by way of raising

his spirits) to cheer too, with all his might and main.

Mr Grummer passed, and Mr Dubbley passed, and the sedan passed,

and the bodyguard of specials passed, and Sam was still responding

to the enthusiastic cheers of the mob, and waving his hat about as if

he were in the very last extreme of the wildest joy (though, of course,

he had not the faintest idea of the matter in hand), when he was

suddenly stopped by the unexpected appearance of Mr Winkle and Mr

Snodgrass.

'What's the row, gen'l'm'n?'cried Sam. 'Who have they got in this here

watch-box in mournin'?'

Both gentlemen replied together, but their words were lost in the

tumult.

Who is it?' cried Sam again.

The Pickwick Papers