Anthony was on the look-out, and signalled them to stand away some paces from the door.

They were kept about a quarter of an hour waiting between two tides of wayfarers, which hustled them one way and another, when out, at last, came the old, broad, bent figure, with little finicking steps, and hurried past them head foremost, his arms narrowed across a bulgy breast.

He stopped to make sure that they were following, beckoned with his chin, and proceeded at a mighty rate.
Marvellous was his rounding of corners, his threading of obstructions, his skilful diplomacy with passengers.

Presently they lost sight of him, and stood bewildered; but while they were deliberating they heard his voice.

He was above them, having issued from two swinging bright doors; and he laughed and nodded, as he ran down the steps, and made signs, by which they were to understand that he was relieved of a weight.
"I've done that twenty year of my life, brother William John," he said.
"Eh?
Perhaps you didn't guess I was worth some thousands when I got away from you just now?
Let any chap try to stop me! They may just as well try to stop a railway train.