the brick-fronted barracks of the poor; a plaster cow, perhaps,

serving as ensign to a dairy, or a ticket announcing the business

of the mangler. Before one such house, that stood a little

separate among walled gardens, a cat was playing with a straw, and

Challoner paused a moment, looking on this sleek and solitary

creature, who seemed an emblem of the neighbouring peace. With the

cessation of the sound of his own steps the silence fell dead; the

house stood smokeless: the blinds down, the whole machinery of

life arrested; and it seemed to Challoner that he should hear the

breathing of the sleepers.

As he so stood, he was startled by a dull and jarring detonation

from within. This was followed by a monstrous hissing and

simmering as from a kettle of the bigness of St. Paul's; and at the

same time from every chink of door and window spirted an ill-

smelling vapour. The cat disappeared with a cry. Within the

lodging-house feet pounded on the stairs; the door flew back,

emitting clouds of smoke; and two men and an elegantly dressed

young lady tumbled forth into the street and fled without a word.

The hissing had already ceased, the smoke was melting in the air,

the whole event had come and gone as in a dream, and still

Challoner was rooted to the spot. At last his reason and his fear

awoke together, and with the most unwonted energy he fell to

running.

Little by little this first dash relaxed, and presently he had

resumed his sober gait and begun to piece together, out of the

confused report of his senses, some theory of the occurrence. But

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