Prev | Current Page 373 | Next

Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"The Prophet of Berkeley Square"


"Well?" said the Prophet, calmly. "Well?"
"I knocked him down as he was making a bolt," said the policeman.
The Prophet found himself wondering why so industrious and even useful
an occupation should be interfered with in such a manner. However, he
only replied,--
"Indeed!"
"Ah," said the policeman, stepping into the hall and laying the
astronomer out across a chair, "what's up?"
"They are both up," answered the Prophet, pointing with a lethargic
finger towards the staircase, from which, at this moment, arose a
perfect hubbub of voices.
"Come on!" cried the policeman.
"Why?" asked the Prophet.
"Why! you're a nice un, you are! Why! And nab 'em, of course!"
"You think it would be wise to--what was the word--nab them?" inquired
the Prophet. "You really think so?"
"Well, what am I here for then?" said the policeman, with angry irony.
"Oh, if you prefer," rejoined the Prophet, civilly. "Nab them by all
means. I shall not prevent you."
The policeman, who was an active and industrious fellow deserving of
praise, waited for no further permission, but immediately darted up the
stairs, and in less than a minute returned with Mrs.


Pages:
361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385