I left Norris sitting on a broken column and went on with the crowd for a few minutes. I kept close to the energetic lady, being interested in her talk. Suddenly she began to hop up and down on one leg and gasp for breath. I never saw a lady hopping on one leg before, and it alarmed me. The battalion of sightseers moved on; they seemed to be unaware of her distress--or was it simply a lack of time? I stopped to see what I could do for her. “Oh, my lord! My heavens!” she shouted, as she looked at me, with both hands on her lifted thigh. “I've got a cramp in my leg! I've got a cramp in my leg!” I supported the lady and spoke a comforting word or two. She closed her eyes and rested her head on my arm, and presently put down her leg and looked brighter. “There, it's all right now,” said she, with a shake of her skirt. “Thanks! Do you come from Michigan?” “No.” “Where do you hail from?” “Pointview, Connecticut.” “I'm from Flint, Michigan, and I'm just tuckered out. They keep me going night and day. I'm making a collection of old knockers. Do you suppose there are any shops where they keep 'em here?” “Don't know. I'm just a pilgrim and a stranger and am not posted in the knocker trade,” I answered. The crowd had turned a corner; and with a swift good-by she ran after it, fearful, I suppose, of losing some detail in the domestic life of Hadrian. So on one leg, as it were, she enters and swiftly crosses the stage. It's a way Providence has of preparing us for the future. To this moment's detention I was indebted for an adventure of importance, for as she left me I saw Muggs, the sleek, pestiferous Muggs, coming out of the old baths on his way to the gate. He must have been the man who had called to see Norris that morning. He turned pale with astonishment and nodded. “Well, Muggs, here you are,” I said. He handled himself in a remarkable fashion, for he was as cool as a cucumber when he answered: “I used to resemble a lot of men, and some pretty decent fellows used to resemble me, but as soon as they saw me they quit it--got out from under, you know. Even my photographs have quit resembling me.” “Well, you have changed a little, but my hat and overcoat look just about as they did,” I laughed. . “If I didn't know it was impossible I would say that your name was Potter,” said he. “And if I knew it was impossible I would swear that your name was Muggs,” I answered. “Forget it,” said he; “in the name of God, forget it. I'm trying to live honest, and I'm going to let you and your friends alone if you'll let me alone. Now, that's a fair bargain.” I hesitated, wondering at his sensitiveness. “You owe us quite a balance, but I'm inclined to call it a bargain,” I said. “Only be kind to that hat and coat; they are old friends of mine. I don't care so much about the two hundred dollars.” “Thanks,” he answered with a laugh, and went on: “I've given you proper credit on the books. You'll hear from me as soon as I am on my feet.”