The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-03-11


was so dark in the carriage that to see the
small characters in an ordinary volume had
become quiet impossible While he was
thus engaged the train reached London
bridge The moment we entered the station
my companion. who had drawn nearer me,
returned to his seat in the corner faTthest
from the platform. From this he gazed with
evidently eager interest on the people pass
ing and repassing the carriage door. As at
Canon street, the number of these were not
great aud we were still alone when the
train moved off.
The moment we we're outside the station a
change came over my fellow passenger. He
threw his book on the floor and rose to his
feet Hitherto I had, being pre-occupied
with my own thoughts, giving small heed to
him. Now, without knowing why, 1 felt
myself fascinated. There was a light in his
dark eyes, an expression in his mouth which
at once repealed and attracted me.
''IIave you been much of a traveller - he
asked, suddenly. He was standing with his
back to tie door, watching me euriously.
q have never been ont of the island,
replied.
! "Ahr. he said, 81 have been everywhere
( Italy, Russia, India China, TimbuctoO. As
( hantee e-everywhere,-I have been near the
( North pole and quite at the South"
4 Indeed, you must be a great traveller,
/ sir" said.
i have never been to the moon. No man
can he q great traveller Who has not been
there"
Then I'm afraid that with the exception
of those famous heroes Of Jules Verne there
/ are very few about"
''Just SO. Just so! Aad yet a trip up
above this detestabe fog, beyond the clouds,
would be enjoyable. In a night like tins it
would be peculiarly so don't you gree with
me ."
Not quite" I said ''for my own part
I'd much rather be at my freside."
You would, would you? Look at that,
smell that, taste that cursed fog" lie threw
open the window, and certainly the fog
which poured in was bad enough in all con-
science.
Il grant you it is not pleasant, either for
eyes on throat said
Il knew YOU would, q" continued my strange
companion. ANY one would be glad to get
out Of it. The man who would free you
from it would deserve your thanks would
lie not 90
There was light in the speakers eyes
which did not like, and there was a move
ment at the corners of his mouth the oppo-
site of pleasant. While not ferling the least
dread of him l was yet not without a strong
desire to reach Spa road. As bad luck
would have it, while yet we had not made
half the short Journey the train again came
to a sudden stop.
Yes, lie would be a public benefactor
who could deliver the people OF London
from fog, l SAID.
''IIe would, would he not?'' whispered
my companion, eagerly. Then l au the
man"
As he spoke he crouched down and looked
/ up at me with glare that made me start
He buttoned his coat and pulled up hi:
sleeves, Is he whispered again: Il am tn,
man. I can free you from these fogs-I car
free myself"
For the first time the thought now flashed
into my mind that / was alone with mad
man. | recognized now that wild light il
his eyes, that strange twitcbing at The cor
ners of the mouth. do not suppose that
e am constitutionally more tImid than most o
my neighbours yet at this moment | felt
cold sweat break all over me, and l know
that 1 looked eagerly out in the darkness
hoping that as now the train was slowi,
moving we were near the station. l saw
only tile thick fog and the feeble light o
here and there a lamp.
Yes, the man was mad, Iaving mad
1 There could be no doubt about it. Only
maniac could laugh the mirthless laugh whic
l. now came from his throat, as he drew tw
steps nearer mr and Kissed at me: "W
cItaT tray lar fs la unn a 10
the fogs say with me. adeu to the fUgs."
| was now erect watching my companio
intently. nerving myself for struggle
: which it was easy to tell was very near.
7 could easily spe | was no match for such ~
o antagonist. My hope was that might ho!
my own for tie few minutes necessary [
/ reach Spa road, where plenty of assistanc
: would he available.
4 ''Your balloon would scarcely travel OF
= such night l said, with affected indiffei
r ence. "The atmosphere is too thick. "
Y Too thick Do you think SO ?'' he said
4 al do. Consider the density of the fog
How conId we possibly get through it?''
e ''WeH. there's something in that" h
said, sitting down. ''Yet the effort is wort
a trial Yes, it is worth trial
He sprang anew to his feet, and approach
:. ed me. lie threw out his strong hands, an
y made clutch at my throat
''This is how we begin, this is how gt
{ the gas for the trip. kill you first to Civ
= you a start. Then / start myself and folio,
you" One shout gave tor help, but ID wa
e lost in the report Of fog signal; then W
;, were swaying back ward and forward in til
d carriage in struggle which was hterall
q for life or DEATH The nBadnIanss breat