ag5

   "He evidently knew the police, or there were none around at that time on a Sunday morning. We went down the sleeping streets as I had gone down the wood roads from the pond two hours before, but with the rattle and crash now of a fire brigade. Whirling a corner into Cambridge Street, we took the bridge at a gallop, the driver shouting out something in Hibernian to a pair of waving arms and a belt and brass buttons.
"Suddenly there was a lurch, and I dived forward, ramming my head into the front of the cab, coming up with a rebound that landed me across the small of my back on the seat, and sent half of my pail of eggs helter-skelter over the floor.
    "We had stopped. Here was Agassiz's house; and without taking time to pick up the scattered eggs I tumbled out, and pounded at the door.
    "No one was astir in the house. But I would stir them. And I did. Right in the midst of the racket the door opened. It was the maid.
    "'Agassiz,' I gasped, 'I want Professor Agassiz, quick!' And I pushed by her into the hall.
    "'Go 'way, sir. I'll call the police. Professor Agassiz is in bed. Go 'way, sir!'
    "'Call him- Agassiz - instantly, or I'll call him myself."
    "But I didn't; for just then a door overhead was flung open, a great white-robed figure appeared on the dim landing above, and a quick loud voice called excitedly:
    "'Let him in! Let him in! I know him. He has my turtle eggs!'
    "And the apparition, slipperless, and clad in anything but an academic gown, came sailing down the stairs.
    "The maid fled. The great man, his arms extended, laid hold of me with both hands, and, dragging me and my precious pail into his study, with a swift, clean stroke laid open one of the eggs, as the watch in my trembling hands ticked its way to seven, as if nothing unusual were happening to the history of the world."
    "You were in time, then ?" I said.
    "To the tick. There stands my copy of the great book. I am proud of the humble part I had in it."