about the crowd for the same purpose to the greater part of these a slight nod or a look from s companion was sufficient greeting but now and then some man would come and stand beside him in the throng and without turning his head or appearing to communicate with him would say a word or two in a low voice which he would answer in the same cautious manner then they would part like strangers some of these men often re appeared again unexpectedly in the crowd close to and as they passed by pressed hia hand or looked him sternly in the face but they never spoke to him nor he to them no not a word it was remarkable too that whenever they happened to stand where there was any press of people and chanced to be looking downward he was sure to see an arm stretched out � under his own perhaps or perhaps across him � which thrust some paper into the hand or pocket of a and was so suddenly withdrawn that it was impossible to tell from whom it came nor could he see in any face on glancing quickly round the least confusion or surprise they often trod upon a paper like the one he carried in his but his companion whispered him not to touch it or to take it up � not even to look towards it � so there they let them lie and passed on when they had the street and au the avenues of the building in this manner for near two hours they turned away and his friend asked him what he thought of what he had seen and whether he was prepared for a good hot piece of work if it should come to that th the better said i m prepared for anything � so am i said his friend and so are many of us and they shook hands upon it with a great oath and with many terrible on the as they were thirsty by this time proposed that they should repair together to the boot where there was good company and strong liquor yielding a ready assent they bent their steps that way with no loss of time this boot was a lone house of public entertainment situated in the fields at the back of the hospital a very solitary spot at that period and quite deserted after dark the tavern stood at some distance from any high road and was only by a dark and narrow lane so that was much surprised to find several people drinking there and great merriment going on he was stiu more surprised to find among them almost every face that had caught his attention in the crowd but his companion having whispered him outside the door that it was not considered good manners at the boot to appear at all curious about the company he kept his own counsel made no show of recognition before putting his lips to the liquor which was brought for them drank in a loud voice the health of lord george president of the great association which toast pledged likewise with corresponding a who was present and who appeared to act as the appointed of the company forthwith struck up a scotch and that in tones so that and his friend who had both been drinking before rose from their seats as by previous concert and to the great admiration of the assembled guests performed an no dance chapter the applause which the performance of and his new friend from the company at the boot had not yet subsided and the two dancers were still panting j om their exertions which had been of a rather extreme and � violent character when the party was by the arrival of some more guests who being a of united were received with very flattering marks of distinction and respect the leader of this small � for including himself they were but three in number � was our old acquaintance mr who seemed physically speaking to have grown smaller with years particularly as to his legs which were little but who in a moral point of view in personal and self esteem had swelled into a giant nor was it by any means difficult for the most person to detect this state of feeling in the for it not only proclaimed itself and beyond mistake in his majestic walk and eye but found a striking means of revelation in his up nose which all things of earth with deep disdain and sought communion with its kindred skies mr as chief or captain of the was attended by his two one the tall comrade of his younger life the other a knight in days of � mark bound in the time to thomas of the golden these gentlemen like himself were now j om their and served as but they were in humble of his great example bold and daring spirits and to a distinguished state in great political events hence their with the association of england by the name of lord george and hence their present visit to the boot gentlemen said mr taking off his hat a great general might in addressing his troops well met my lord does me and you the honour to send his per self you ve seen my lord too have you said see him this afternoon my duty called me to the when our shop shut up and i saw him there sir mr replied as he and his took their seats how do you do lively master lively said the fellow here s a new brother regularly put down in black and white by muster a credit to the cause one of the stick at sort one my own heart d ye see him has he got the looks of a man that u do do you think he cried as he on the 