Memoirs Of Joseph Grimaldi

MEMOIRS OF JOSEPH GEIMALDI. 93

ourselves your friends, and support you against this old rascal
in any way in our power."

All the others said something of the same sort, for which
Grimaldi thanked them Very heartily, being really in a state
of great discomfort, and entertaining many dismal forebodings.
It was then proposed that everybody present should accompany
him in a body to the stage-door, and be witnesses to anything that
the thief-taker had to say or do; it being determined beforehand
that in the event of his being insolent, he should be summarily
put into the New River. Accordingly, they went down in a
body, bearing Joe in the centre; and sure enough at the door
stood Old Lucas inproprid persond.

" Now, then, what's the matter ?" said the leader of the guard ;
upon which Grimaldi summoned up courage, and echoing the
inquiry, said, " "What's the matter ?" too.

" You must come with me to Hatton Garden," said the con-
stable, in a gruff voice. " Come, I can't afford to lose any more
time."

Here arose a great outcry, •mingled with various exclamations
of, " Where's your warrant ?" and many consignments of Mr,
Lucas to the warmest of all known regions.

""Where's your warrant ?" cried Davis, when the noise had in
some measure subsided.

The officer deigned no direct reply to this inquiry, hut looking
at Grrimaldi, demanded whether he was ready; in answer to
which question the whole party shouted " No I" with tremendous
emphasis.

"Look.here, Lucas," saidDubois, stepping forward; "you are
an old scoundrel I—no one knows that better, or perhaps could
prove it easier, than I. Now, so far as concerns Mr. Grimaldi,
all we have got to say is, either show us a warrant which autho-
rizes you to take him into custody, or take yourself into custody
and take yoxtrself off under penalty of a ducking.

This speech was received with a shout of applause, not onlyt's all over; but if