"Father's ill at home, and so I came out with the cab. There's no
fear of me. I can drive. Besides, the old horse could go alone."

"Just as well, I daresay. You're a pair of 'em. But you are
a rum 'un for a cabby--ain't you now?" said the policeman.
"I don't know as I ought to let you go."

"I ain't done nothing," said Diamond. "It's not my fault I'm
no bigger. I'm big enough for my age."

"That's where it is," said the man. "You ain't fit."

"How do you know that?" asked Diamond, with his usual smile,
and turning his head like a little bird.

"Why, how are you to get out of this ruck now, when it begins
to move?"

"Just you get up on the box," said Diamond, "and I'll show you.
There, that van's a-moving now. Jump up."

The policeman did as Diamond told him, and was soon satisfied
that the little fellow could drive.

"Well," he said, as he got down again, "I don't know as I should
be right to interfere. Good luck to you, my little man!"

"Thank you, sir," said Diamond, and drove away.

In a few minutes a gentleman hailed him.