138 BEGGARS ON HORSEBACK. 



of six white horses, explained that the infant mind 

 had lately been educated in such matters. 



That we should have fortuitously selected the 

 Snowdon Valley Hotel from among the many 

 others of the long street was, in this connection, 

 a singular instance of hypnotic suggestion. As 

 we turned towards the coffee-room, the landlady, 

 after a moment obviously spent in comparing us 

 with the poster, made up her mind to give us the 

 benefit of the doubt. 



" Perhaps you would rather step to the drawing- 

 room," she said, hesitatingly ; and while she spoke 

 the chorus of " The Man that broke the Bank at 

 Monte Carlo " broke forth from the hilarious con- 

 versation in the coffee-room, "we have the — a — 

 the circus ladies and gentlemen in there." 



