It was manifestly impossible to take back the note; and yet if she retained it she would be subjected to scandalous indignities.

What was to be done?
I turned my eyes towards Piccadilly and beheld a policeman.

A page wearing the name of a milliner's shop on his cap whisked past me.

I stopped him and slipped a shilling into his hand.
"Will you ask that policeman to come to me ?" The boy tore down the street and told the policeman and followed him up to me, eager for amusement.
"What has the woman been doing, sir ?" asked the policeman.
"Nothing," said I."I have given her a five-pound note." "What for, sir ?" he asked.
"To further my pursuit of the eumoirous," said I, whereat he gaped stolidly; "but, be that as it may, I have given it her as a free gift, and she is afraid to present it anywhere lest she should be charged with theft.

Will you kindly accompany her to a shop, where she can change it, and vouch for her honesty ?" The policeman, who seemed to form the lowest opinion of my intellect, said he didn't know a shop on his beat where they could change it.