Sunday led them a wild chase towards the north-west, his cabman, evidently under the influence of more than common inducements, urging the horse at breakneck speed.

But Syme was in no mood for delicacies, and he stood up in his own cab shouting, "Stop thief!" until crowds ran along beside his cab, and policemen began to stop and ask questions.

All this had its influence upon the President's cabman, who began to look dubious, and to slow down to a trot.

He opened the trap to talk reasonably to his fare, and in so doing let the long whip droop over the front of the cab.

Sunday leant forward, seized it, and jerked it violently out of the man's hand.