The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-07
CHAPTER VI.
WITHIN,

CHAPTER VI
WITHIN.
With an ugly look on his face Royal
| turned from his intent gaze at the house,
and accosted the nearest policeman.
whats going forwardp he asked, with
an air Of languid curiosity. His appear ance
at once commanded the bobby's IeSpect.
"'Tis Sir Lawrence Huntingford. He
has gone to head the deputation to the
He'll be a mighty popular man, Sir Law
rance, il he goes on as he's begun, for all
he's such poor deformed creature"
Royal turned away hastily 10 no mind to
listen TO further praise of mis- partners skill,
but not without paying tribute 10 IL him
self
ct was a DEVILS own chance and he took
It, and plays the game as il he we're old
Harry himseltl" he muttered. Hes one
of the fine gentlemen, while l may get
along as best can, when | might be going
the pace along with him. It's my right.
shall have TO pay for the ugly little wretch
being put out OF the way" But despite the
nonchalance with which he spoke the
thought to himself, the murderer shud-
dered, and glanced half fearfully round
him. why shouldn't make him let me
share the funP'
"Get of the way there, out Of the way, 1
tell youl"
1t was the policeman again who spoke,
for during Royals meditation three hand
somely appointed carriages had drawn up
| before the entrance to Huntingford house,
and crowd had gathered quickly TO watch
the gentleman forming the depuattion
alight.
There was no reason why these should
not have had the reward of their efforts in
q popular cause, from the peoples lips. but
the policeman, believing that the hunch-
back shranS from his deformlty being seen
by the crowd, constrained them to move
on. In this he was in error, it being con-
sidered one of the finest points in the new
bAronet's character that he in no way let
his Affections stand as a barrier between
him and his fellow men. 1t was the one
point on which the Rat might have courted
suspicion, but could any Of his supposed
brothers in affection have known how
great tie his very helplessness was to bind
him to the hearts he wished to win. they
might have tried TO initiate what was
called his wonderful courage. But, then,
how different are the bonds which can
never be broken, and those which are worn
at will and may at any time be cast aside,
The policeman's misplaced energies had
the effect OF creating block, for even
| those who had no interest in his mission
were curious to see the deformed baronet,
so that the carriage which should have
been first at the steps of the house-that in
| which Sir Lawrence was-came last.
Wishing to receive his friends on alight-
| ing, the baronet signaled to his coachmar
TO stop, and got out to make his way on
foot through the crowd.
There was a great change In the man
since he had first returned to London, sc
great that save for his deformity he would
scarcely have been taken for the same
| creature.
But little of his features had been visibl,
before by reason OF his unkempt hair anC
beard. The former was now snowy anC
clean, and though still falling luxuriouslJ
! TO his shoulders was arranged 10 such
way as to show of to advantage the ont
good feature in the otherwise crooked body
an Enthusiastically fine head. The ragged
beard was gone entirely together with tbs
ugly strap, a slight scar on the upper lily
being all that remained of the wound it haC
hidden. The features had lost their sun
burnt and none too dainty complexion, the
eyes, now seen under the carefully brushed
eyebrows, had lost their furtive way o.
peering, while the mouth displayed a fine
set OF even, white teeth, and by its lines
added to the already pleasant impression
the whole face gave.
The crippled body was clothed with care
every art being used to make the deformi
ties less discernible, full-caped coat hiding
them almost entirely. while in place Of the
ugly little sprlg a gold-mounted crutch-
stick gave now what support was needed
The transformation had not been so diff
ficult as might have been imagined-par'
ticularly when i'll it lay additional safety K
the Rat. But no one but he could have
done it so well. To discard the wig was
most necessary step, and easily accom-
plished by bleaching his own gray locks anC
letting them grow at will. To discard a.
well the beard was bold stroke. But K
grow such a crop as the hunchback haC
upon his chin would have taken too long
and a false one was not to be trusted, Will,
the absence of it SO greatly changed tn,
| character of the face, that it made recogni
ton impossible, even by those who haC
been the hunohback'J latest friends. These
whom he was sure to come across were the
object Of the Rats greatest fear.
AS regards voice, there was still somt
danger Though freed from the strap o
plaster the Rat could, of course. use his
own voice without fear OF detection in CT
ordinary way, yet the late friends OF thu
hunchback might here find cause for sus
picion.
The hunohback had had hardly a tootl
in his head, and having been beyond tn,
pale of civilization so long had not had re
! course TO art to supply the deficiency. TIT
| marked difference which such aid woulC
make in a mans speech would easily account
for this change In that of the hunchback
The Rat had fairly good teeth. but he die
not hesitate TO have these removed, anC
their place filled by set which would al
once give plausible key to the mystery o.
voice, should any be needed. Neither die
be scruple TO intlict upon himself wound
| which. though by no means as severe al
that Of the hunchback, yet caused seal
such as the other must have left; while, <
guard against any possible accident, such
as a fall which might cause him TO quit The
cramped position Of his limbs, he contrivec
a case Of straps and steels passing all ovel
his body, by which be was held securely
IL accidently exposed they would be takeI
for the reverse purpose Of supports.
Nay, TO be quite perfect in every detal
Of the part, the Rat had practiced falling
and even hanging by the hands. He re
manned at night IN his letters lest any sud
den call upon him should make him spring
up-upright.
No wonder that those moments when be