The stillness consequent on the cessation of the rumbling and labouring of the coach, added to the stillness of he night made it very quiet indeed. The panting of the horses communicated a tremulous motion to the coach, as if it were in a state o] agitation. The hearts of the passengers beat loud enough perhaps to be heard; but at any rate, the quiet pause was audibly expressive of people out of breath, and holding the breath, an' having the pulses quickened by expectation.
The sound of a horse at a gallop came fast and furiously up the hill.
`So-ho!' the guard sang out, as loud as he could roar. `Yo there! Stand! I shall fire!'
The pace was suddenly checked, and, with much splashing and floundering, a man's voice called from the mist, `Is that the Dover mail?'
`Never you mind what it is?' the guard retorted. `Wham are you?'
`I want a passenger, if it is.'
Our booked passenger showed in a moment that it was his name. The guard, the coachman, and the two other passengers eyed him distrustfully.
`Keep where you are,' the guard called to the voice in the mist, `because, if I should make a mistake, it could never be set right in your lifetime. Gentleman of the name of Lorry answer straight.'
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