Having considered the dilemma for a minute, he wheeled about,
satisfied that he must give up his mission if he would not spoil the
dinner party. He started back in a great hurry, and at once the cry was
raised, "Stop thief! Stop thief!"
'It appeared that a policeman, full of suspicion, had been watching the
not very fashionable bearer of the parcels. When Sir John came to his
sudden halt, this fellow reasoned, "Ah! he observes me; my suspicions are
confirmed." There could be no manner of doubt, on Sir John setting to run
in the opposite direction. The policeman shouted, "Stop thief!" and
rushed after the astronomer, a tail of curious people gathering from all
sides. Sir John jogged on, heedless of the noise, ignorant of its cause,
until the policeman brought him up. What was the matter? The man of the
law looked awful things, and kept a stern eye upon his prisoner, for that
was now Sir John's position.
'He explained that he was hurrying home for dinner, that his wife and
friends would be waiting him, and that to be detained in such fashion was
a trifle absurd, especially as he was Sir John Herschel. "Sir John
Herschel!" quoth the policeman; "that's your game, is it? No, no, my
friend; you'll have to come to the police-station with me." And away he
marched the most eminent astronomer of many a year.
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