I had forgotten this part of the programme, but I determined not to wait for my luggage.

I would sooner lose it a thousand times over than be late in reaching Kensington.

I accordingly got the keys from Kaffar and Simon, and pointing out the portmanteaus to an official, gave him a sovereign to see them examined and sent on to my address in Gower Street.
I hailed a hansom, but the cabby refused to take the three of us, upon which Kaffar offered to go in another; but I dared not risk him out of my sight, so we got into a rumbling old four-wheeler, and I offered the cabby a sovereign if he would get me at the address I gave him in half-an-hour.
"Couldn't do it for ten sovereigns, sir," said the cabby.

"The streets is as slippery as glass, and as crowded as herrin's in a barrel.

I'll do it in _three-quarters_ for a quid, yer honour." It was now nearly half-past ten; that would make it a quarter-past eleven.