The crowd increased, and the most intense interest was depicted in every countenance, when the cry of "Let me out!--I shall die!--For heaven's sake let me out!" was audibly and vehemently again and again repeated.
The impatient multitude now began to cut away the matting; when the workmen, apprehensive that the carriage might sustain some damage from the impetuosity of their proceedings, took upon themselves the act of dismantling the mysterious machine; during which operation, the cry of "Let me out!" became more and more clamorously importunate.

At last the vehicle was laid bare, and its door thrown open; when, to the utter amazement of the crowd, no child was there--no trace was to be seen of aught, human or super-human! The ~7~~ assemblage gazed on the vacant space from whence the sounds had emanated, in confusion and dismay.
During this momentary suspense, in which the country 'Squire participated, a voice from some invisible agent, as if descending the steps of the carriage, exclaimed--"Thank you, my good friends, I am very much obliged to you--I shall now go home, and where my home is you will all know by-and-by!" With the exception of Dashall and Tallyho, the minds of the spectators, previously impressed with the legends of superstition and diablerie, gave way under the dread of the actual presence of his satanic majesty; and the congregated auditors of his ominous denunciation instantaneously dispersed themselves from the scene of witchery, and, re-assembling in groupes on distant parts of the street, cogitated and surmised _on the Devil's visit to the Coachmakers of Long Acre!_ Tallyho now turned an inquisitive eye on his Cousin, who answered the silent and anxious enquiry with an immoderate fit of laughter, declaring that this was the best and most ingenious hoax of any he had ever witnessed, and that he would not have missed, on any consideration whatsoever, the pleasure of enjoying it.

"The Devil in Long Acre!--I shall never forget it," exclaimed the animated Cousin of the staring and discomfited 'Squire.
"Explain, explain," reiterated the 'Squire, impatiently.
"You shall have it in one word,"answered Dashall--"Ventriloquism!"{1} 1 This hoax was actually practised by a Ventriloquist in the manner described.

It certainly is of a less offensive nature than that of many others which have been successfully brought for-ward in the Metropolis, the offspring of folly and idleness.--"A fellow," some years ago, certainly not "of infinite humour," considering an elderly maiden lady of Berner Street a "fit and proper subject" on whom to exercise his wit, was at the trouble of writing a vast number of letters to tradesmen and others, magistrates and professional men, ordering from the former various goods, and requiring the advice, in a case of emergency, of the latter, appointing the same hour, to all, of attendance; so that, in fact, at the time mentioned, the street, to the annoy-ance and astonishment of its inhabitants, was crowded with a motley group of visitants, equestrian and pedestrian, all eagerly pressing forward to their destination, the old lady's place of residence.

In the heterogeneous assemblage there were seen Tradesmen of all denominations, accompanied by their Porters, bearing various articles of household furniture; Counsellors anticipating fees; Lawyers engaged to execute the last will and testament of the heroine of the drama, and, not the least conspicuous, an Undertaker preceded by his man with a coffin; and to crown the whole, "though last not least in our esteem," the then Lord Mayor of London, who, at the eager desire of the old Lady, had, with a commendable feeling of humanity, left his civic dominions, in order to administer, in a case of danger and difficulty, his consolation and assistance.