"---- most magnificent volume ever published, jewelled in fourteen holes,
working on a ruby roller, and in a glass case," said the book-canvasser.
"The likenesses of the historical personages are so natural
that the book must not be left open on the table, or the mosquitoes
will ruin it by stinging the portraits."

It then dawned on the sergeant that this was no mere case of the horrors --
he was dealing with a book-canvasser.

"Ah, sure," he said, "fwhat's the use uv tryin' to sell books at all,
at all; folks does be peltin' them out into the street, and the nanny-goats
lives on them these times. Oi send the childer out to pick 'em up,
and we have 'em at me place in barrow-loads. Come along wid me now,
and Oi'll make you nice and comfortable for the night,"
and he laid his hand on the outstretched palm of the figure.

It was a fatal mistake. He had set in motion the machinery which operated
the figure's left arm, and it moved that limb in towards its body,
and hugged the sergeant to its breast, with a vice-like grip.
Then it started in a faltering and uneven, but dogged, way
to walk towards the river.

"Immortial Saints!" gasped the sergeant, "he's squazin' the livin' breath
out uv me. Lave go now loike a dacent sowl, lave go. And oh,
for the love uv God, don't be shpakin' into me ear that way;"
for the figure's mouth was pressed tight against the sergeant's ear,
and its awful voice went through and through the little man's head,
as it held forth about the volume. The sergeant struggled violently,
and by so doing set some more springs in motion, and the figure's right arm
made terrific swipes in the air. A following of boys and loafers