said the gentleman to his young charge, and, she answering in the affirmative, they both left the house, preceded by the servant.
"Come on!" said Long Ned, hastily, and walking in the same direction which the strangers had taken. Paul readily agreed; they soon overtook the strangers.—Long Ned walked the nearest to the gentleman, and brushed by him in passing. Presently, a voice cried "Stop thief!" and Long Ned saying to Paul—"Shift for yourself—run!" darted from our hero's side into the crowd, and vanished in a twinkling. Before Paul could recover his amaze, he found himself suddenly seized by the collar; he turned abruptly, and saw the dark face of the young lady's companion.
"Rascal!" cried the gentleman, "my watch!"
"Watch!" repeated Paul, bewildered; and only for the sake of the young lady refraining from knocking down his arrester.—"Watch!"
"Ay, young man!" cried a fellow in a great coat, who now suddenly appeared on the other side of Paul; "this gentleman's watch—please your honour, (addressing the complainant) I be a watch too—shall I take up this chap?"
