Then it crossed my mind that it might be the doing of some malicious sprite, as the Drummer of Tedworth, or those who occasioned the disturbances no very long time since at the old Gast House at Little Burton here in Somersetshire.
(Note F.Appendix.) With this thought we hallooed to the coachman, and told him what had occurred to us.

The fellow came down from his perch, and having heard our story, he burst straightway into much foul language, and walking round to the back of his calash, showed us that a slit had been made in the leather wherewith it was fashioned.

Through this the thief had thrust his hand and had drawn my wig through the hole, resting the while on the crossbar of the coach.

It was no uncommon thing, he said, and the wig-snatchers were a numerous body who waited beside the peruke-maker's shops, and when they saw a customer come forth with a purchase which was worth their pains they would follow him, and, should he chance to drive, deprive him of it in this fashion.

Be that as it may, I never saw my wig again, and had to purchase another before I could venture into the royal presence.' 'A strange adventure truly,' exclaimed Saxon.