"You can get in with me, if you like," Sir Edward continued, motioning toward the interior of his
brougham. "I am due in Downing Street now, but I dare say you could say what you wish to on the way there."
If I was a very good boy and took pains, and carefully mixed in the best society, I might hope in the course of years to succeed to my father's
brougham, fashionably-situated house, and clumsy and expensive footman.
"I stopped the carriage, got out, and, after a few minutes' conversation, persuaded two of the public women to get into the
brougham with me.
I have, as you discovered last night, a window at the back of my
brougham, and if you desire a twenty-mile ride which will lead you to the spot from which you started, you have only to follow me.
'Have you brought your hatchet, Miss
Brougham? If you have, you're just in time to join in the massacre of the innocents.
The
brougham glided up into the Strand, and turned westwards.
If you would only come back with me in my
brougham, you would at least be able to soothe him, though I can hardly hope that you will be able to explain this remarkable occurrence."
He drove off by himself, as had been arranged, and watched the flashing lights of the little
brougham in front of him.
And the
brougham, behind which he was now running, was no more than a black spot on the white road.
Lucille gave a little start of amazement as she realised that she was not alone in the
brougham. She reached out for the check-cord, but a strong hand held hers.
And good-night, Watson," he added, as the wheels of the royal
brougham rolled down the street.
Then, amid a mixture of groans and cheers, Professor Challenger's electric
brougham slid from the curb, and I found myself walking under the silvery lights of Regent Street, full of thoughts of Gladys and of wonder as to my future.