The herald., 1896-02-23

head, screwng up his eyes, and looking
very leery indeed. "There won't be a tus
sic. Bobbie; nothing in that line. I'm nc
mere nuts on welting than you are. We
shan't go down as Chalker Brothers. We
shall go as two other outraged parents
twig?"
"IIa!' exclaimed Coxham, drawing deer
BREATH and then began to chuckle, sc
that's the game-s it, pard?"
| yes, don't you think it good one?"
Jolly good if it can be worked. But,
say, it will want careful playing If we
get spotted at it. we shall be in hotter
! pickle than ever
AYE, but we shan't be spotted, If we just
lay our plans carefully, and keep our heads.
1t seems to me that it would be best en-
gineered in this way. Well just change into
cuieter togs. You get yourself uD, say, in
topper, frock coat, Sunday bags; London So
| lctor; son at school enticed into betting
by Chalker Brothers; furious; law gives no
, remedy; come to take law into own hands.
I'll mount my country tweed suit; Squire
from Bucks; son at Sandhurst; got into
awful gambling scrape through Challlers
mad; bent on giving both the scoundres a
hiding. Oh. it will be dis easy as anything"'
"Well, supposing the introduction goes off
all right, how about the sequel?" inquired
the cautious CoXham
"Oh we'll manage that nicely. Dick shall
II,
and pump him about the movements of
Chalker Brothers. and he'll tell Just what
he's been primed to tell-twig? Then we'll
lead 'em a nice dance about London in
pursuit of Chakers. and, in the end, Get
'em on to a couple of the most harmless
pedestrians We meet. Properly worked, it
will be as rich Il sell as was ever contrived
We can lust think a bit over the details
while we're changing, aud then we'll have
Dick in. and put him up to his part in the
gambol!'
Chalker Brothers were not early birds in
the morning. They had no necessity of long
business hours. and seldom went down to
the Office before noon. On this occasion,
owing to the above delay, it was nearly /
o'clock before they were ready to leave
Bloomsbury. They walked together, accom-
panied by Dick, for part of the way. Then
Charles Goodhead duly armed with hunt
ing crop, and really looking very much like
a country squire in his new get-up, took a
hanson and proceeded first to the office.
The senior partner in Chalker Brothers
was famous for his brass. even among his
fellow tipsters. He chucked cabby form
double his fare-with the air of duke,
and strobe into the lobby of the office,
looking determined and ferocious. The two
military gentlemen were still there. They
also looked determined and ferocious. They
were men, apparently, of about forty; one
was tallish. and one rather short. But both
we're of powerful biuld and had a mo non
sense cut about them, which evidently
meant business. Goodhead felt grateful for
Dicks warning, and thanked his stars that
he had not blundered upon these truculent
avengers unprepared.
"Messrs. Chalker in?" demanded Charles
Goodhead, fiercely, making as though he
did not notice that they were visitors.
'Not at present sir, replied the taller of
tbo tyrO frnyr Np
selves are waiting to see them Why-why
- Gas his eye fell upon Goodhead's
hunting crop IL do believe that you
you-want EN- for the same"
by Jove! interrupted Goodhead, seeing
(apparently) for the first time the others
weapon of chastisement. 80 you've come
to give em thrashing also?"
1--WE have, SIR struck in the other mill
tary gentleman, brandishng his hcrsewhip
viciously. "My old friend here, Major
Lascelles, and myself have come in the
interest of our sons-both youngsters still
at school-whom these villains have done
their best to ruin. They tell us we have
no legal remedy. I take it that this remedy
will have more effect than the law upon
rascals Of their kidney" he added, again
shaking his whip ominously.
MY lads at Sandhurst," said Goodhead.
"Fine young fellow. got into the devils
own scrape all through these damned
scoundrels. VIII probably have to leave
Career absolutely spoiled with we'll as
sumed tremor in his voice.. But I'll take it
out of 'em. Haven't come all the way
from Ellsworth and missed the best meet
of the season for nothingi as those black
guards shall soon know to their cost.
Hark! (starting). There's some one coming
Wonder fl
Before he could complete his sentence
Robert CoXham entered through the outer
door; Robert Coxham. in his new top nat,
frock coat and Sunday inexpressbles,
looked a very respectable parsonage in
deed No one would have suspected him
to be a common racing tout. He strobe
in with an air of confidence and asser-
ton.
"Are Challeer Brothers in?" he inquired.
"Why-why-by the Lord!' calculated
the gentleman who had been spoken OF us
Major Lasceles, cycling the riding switch
which Robert Coxham carried in his right
hand, 81 do believe that you, too, sir, have
come to administer corporal punishment.
"I-I-good gracous!'' said Coxham,
starting, as he surveyed the three hunting
crops. "What an extraordinary coinci-
dence, gentlemen We are quartet of
horsewhips. as it seems"
"All the better" remarked Charles Good
head, with emphasis. "There'I be two of
us to each rascal; and one can take on
when the other one is tired"
my son, who is coaching for the army,
has got into serious betting difficulties
through these scoundrels," explained Rob-
ert Coxham. 81 should not have stopped
to this course had any other been feasible.
But the law is helpless in the matter And
what else can one do? OF course, we shall
all render ourselves liable to actions for
assault and battery: still"
81 don't mind if they give me hard
labor" interposed the shorter of the I---o
men, determinedly, provided l
can first have ten minutes at one of the
Chalkers with this whip
At that moment the door opened and in
hurried Master Dick. the office boy. Dick
started and looked surprised to see these
four visitors waiting there. His surprise
developed into evident uneasiness when his
eye fell upon the hunting crops. However,
Dick was not without his share of assurance;
so, putting bold face on the matter, he
asked:
"Are you gents waitin' to see Chalkers?' |
'That is our intention, young man." re-
piled Major Lasceles.
'Then Pm afraid you're wastin' your
time,' said Dick. "For Chalker juniors
out o. town; awy for lis 'oliday; and Chalker
senior-e's engiged in a little kse at the
law courts, and hain't comm back to the
horfice to-day"
At this point Charles Goodhead the |
Buckinghamshire squire, seized Dick firmly
by the collar.
"Lemme go-lemme go.' cried Dick, be- |
ginning to struggle.
"Now just you stop that" said the squire |
"else l shall give you sound |
hiding, young man. First Of all, who are |
you? The office boy?"