Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-22
ICOyrINuED.l

that he could not possibly remember; but he
thinks, through to London Mr. Choop then
desired me to accompany him to the telegraph
Ofnce. The eight o'clock train had hardly got
half way TO London yet. By consulting time
table, Mr.. ChOOp found out at what part Of the
line the train ought to be; 80, at bis request
telegrsphed to the station at which il would
next stop; giving brief description of Mr.
Darke and his companion, desiring the tram to
be searched on its arrival, and the individual
in question to be detained. In q quarter of ar
hour We received reply The train has been
searched, but no individuals, answering toyour
description, were in it. >"
Telegraph to each station where the train
has stopped, ;" said Mr.. Choop, "uutil you dis
cover at which Of them the man and woman got
out
So telegraphed to four stations without sue
cess, but the fifth answered, "Yes, the individ-
uals you mention reached here by the 8 a. In.
train"
IN have you yet, Jim Riley" exclaimed
Mr.. ChOop, with grim smile. Fred, by boy,
If you want TO see bit Of fun, and like to 20
with Timothy and me, you are welcome"
As the clock struck twelve we found ourselves
at Fulwo0d-station-Mr.C Choop, Timothy, and
myself After making q few inquiries of the
station master, Mr.. Choop sent Timothy in one
direction, while he and L took another. Mr.
Choop put cautious questions to several indi-
yiduals but without gaining any decisive in
formation Neither was Timothy, when we
hgence. Mr.. ChOop considered for few mo-
ments at must be as I have suspected all
along, said he, at last. We shall find them
at the Ten Tramps; step out, lads. Best leg
foremost
We left the village at a rapid pace, and still
keeping on the high road got into barren,
mOorlsnd country. Fields, hsdgerOws, and
trees, were gradually left behind; until, at
length. we were shut in oneeyery side by swell
ing -hillocks, of moor, which swept away as far
~ the eye can reach, and bound the horizon
With their sinuOus, graceful lines. Following
the guidance of Mr. Choop, we quilted the high
road after time. and came to a halt under the
lee Of higher hillock than common. Mr.
Choop, taking off his hat clambered up the hill
and took stealthy survey over its summit.
Tie then beckOned me to follow. Peeping over,
found that We were on a summit Of a ridge Of
country, from which the road swept down into
a small valley, in the middle Of which, and
close to the high road, stood q small square
house.
The Ten Tramps / dare wager that Jim
Riley and his wife in that house, ~ said Mr..
Choop. SIT is a notorious gathering place for
the rogues in the district
Mr.. ChOOp descended, and he and Timothy
held secret council for some minutes. Then
Timothy opened a small bundle-brought all
the way from NewstOne-and proceeded, with
much gravity, to induct himself into a wag-
Onsr's blue smock-frOck, pientfully braided
and buteoBed, after the fashion in which way
Oners delight He next turned up the bottoms
OF his fustian trowsers, so as to bring into more
prominent view his laced up boots; then he
gave his hat a push back, and his hair a push
forward, and set of at a swinging pace in the
direction Of the Ten Tramps. whistling the
Plough Boy as he goes. Mr.. Choop and /
passed the next half hour together, smoking
cigars and discussing various matters, with a
glance over the hillock every two or three
minutes in the direction of the inn.
why not wait till night, asked Mr.. ChOop,
when you could approach the inn without be-
jng ssen"'
- Because, after dark, we should be pretty
surs o. finding half-a-dozen rough customers
1heEe. whn would make the matter awkward
Then WV not take half a-dOzen men with
you. so as TO a ,'oid all risk !''
What credit would be in that? When
Timothy and fail, Il will be time enough to
talk about calling IN ether assistance. There
he isl"
Timothy wa, lSsaEing again. the dOOr-Post,
smoking a long clay-pipe. While we were
watching him, he took Of his bat, and scratched
tlis head vigorously: q second tine: and third
time.
..All right" said Mr.. Choop. "That was
the signal. Lend me your cap, Fred, and you
take my hat; don't want Riley to recognize
nne till get into the house"
Having make the transfer, we set of, Mr..
7ChOop walking with assumed limp.
Timothy was still smoking his pipe at the
door when We reached the inn.
- Foine day, master"
every fine, my man." replied Mr.. Choop.
What sort of tap have you got here ~
"Oh, toidyish. You'll foind the landlord
somewhere insOide. All the women-folk seem
~ be gone out somewhere"
Two glasses Of your best ale, landlord, - ex-
claimed Mr. ChOop to a burly red-headed man
with villsinOgs sOuntenanee, who came for
ward, scovling susPciou.ly. The landlords
losck was hardly turned before uick whisper
yus exchanged between Timothy and Mr..
Choop. We were lighting our cigars when the
landlord returned with the ale. lie showed
Hs into a small room, and We left the country
man still smoking at the door. lie seemed to
be thirty soul, this cOuntryman, for he
called for glass after glass rapidly, if fully
determined on getting drunk in the shortest
possible time. He drank SO much that the
landlords big jug was at last exhausted, and
he lighted n candle to 60 down into the cellar
to draw more ale. Hardly had the landlord
reached the bottom of the cellsr-steps, before
the door Was quietly locked behind him.
Mr.. Chops apathy vanished in a moment.
His eyes flashed, his teeth glistened, he looked
dangerous Go you into the garden" he
whispered to me, :" and take your stand below
the window on the left If Jim Riley jumps
out, though L don't think be II have time. lay
hold Ut him, and stick to him till come. Now,
Tim, quick and SILENT Mr.. Choop and i'm
othy, each pulling out an ugIy-looking staff,
crept upstairs stealthily as two burglars
while FASTENED into the garden.
mingled noise of shouting and oaths,
crowned by = woman's wild shrek the crash
Df falling table. and then the window was
fiung up, and Mr. Darke dashing madly
through, followed closely by Choop. They came
TO the ground almost together. and rolled over
in a fierce struggle. But Mr.. Darke, twice as
strong as his opponent. was uppermost, sitting
astride Of Mr.. ChoOp. Only for one moment;
for the next, my arms were round his neck. l
gave him a sudden pull back. with all my
strength. ChOOp, now on his feet, whipped out
his handouts, and had Mr.. Darke safe and
fast before that Individual could recover his
breath.
Mrs. Riley, as suppose she ought to be Called
and carrying with much care, the small black
portmanteau. Mr. Choop opened it, and l
perceived il To bs halffuil Of watches, rings,
nina and ieMelrY of Yarinus kinda The Mn-