CHAPTER XV.
WHICH CONTAINS A PLAY WITHIN A PLAY.
All the world was astonished, when from the door of the Double-barrelled Gun a man stepped forth on the hottest day in August, arrayed as for a Siberian winter in a dreadnought, guarded with furs, and a hat pressed down, so as almost to cover his face.

The train of curious persons who attended his motions naturally grew larger at every step.
Whosoever had hitherto doubted whether this man were mad--doubted no longer when he was seen to enter the theatre; where in the lightest summer-clothing the heat was scarcely supportable.
Within the theatre, the attention of all people was directed so undividedly upon himself, that even Mr.Schnackenberger began to opine that he had undertaken something extraordinary: so much the more, thought he, will it be prudent to hide my face, that I may not again compromise my dignity in the presence of her Highness.

But this concealment of his face raised the strongest suspicions against him.
Throughout the whole house--pit--boxes--and galleries--there was but one subject of conversation, viz.

the man in the dreadnought; and, whilst in all other parts the house was crowded to excess, upon his bench no soul would sit: and he _created_ as much superfluity of room as he had _found_ at the Golden Sow.

At length the manager waited upon him, and requested that he would either retire from the theatre, or that he would explain what could have induced him to make his appearance in a costume which had spread alarm and anxiety through the public mind; and which was likely to do a serious injury to the receipts of the night.
At this moment several children began to cry--taking him for black[25] Robert.