“Winkle’s bedroom is inside mine,” said Mr. Tupman; “I couldn’t make him understand what I wanted, if I woke him now, but I know he has a dress-suit in a carpet bag; and supposing you wore it to the ball, and took it off when we returned, I could replace it without troubling him at all about the matter.”

“Capital,” said the stranger, “famous plan⁠—damned odd situation⁠—fourteen coats in the packing-cases, and obliged to wear another man’s⁠—very good notion, that⁠—very.”

“We must purchase our tickets,” said Mr. Tupman.

“Not worth while splitting a guinea,” said the stranger, “toss who shall pay for both⁠—I call; you spin⁠—first time⁠—woman⁠—woman⁠—bewitching woman,” and down came the sovereign with the dragon (called by courtesy a woman) uppermost.