"Well, now that I had him in my coach, the question was what I should do
with him. I did not wish to hurt him if I could help it.
"'This is a pressing business,' said he. 'I have a despatch which I
must deliver instantly.'
"Our coach had rattled down Harley Street now, in accordance with my
instruction, it turned and began to go up again.
"'Hullo!' he cried. 'What's this?'
"'What then? 'I asked.
"'We are driving back. Where is Lord Hawkesbury?'
"'We shall see him presently.'
"'Let me out!' he shouted. 'There's some trickery in this. Coachman,
stop the coach! Let me out, I say!'
"I dashed him back into his seat as he tried to turn the handle of the
door. He roared for help. I clapped my palm across his mouth. He made
his teeth meet through the side of it. I seized his own cravat and
bound it over his lips. He still mumbled and gurgled, but the noise was
covered by the rattle of our wheels. We were passing the minister's
house, and there was no candle in the window.
"The messenger sat quiet for a little, and I could see the glint of his
eyes as he stared at me through the gloom. He was partly stunned, I
think, by the force with which I had hurled him into his seat. And also
he was pondering, perhaps, what he should do next.
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