The herald., 1896-02-23

I'm the clerkn' answered Dick, with dig
nifty. "Chakers' clerk"
llt is hardly necessary to say he pro-
nouneed the word as spelt.)
What do they pay you?" demanded the
squire.
Thirteen bob a week." said Dick.
Would you care to earn f5 note?" sug-
gested the squire.
Just you give me chance and see," an
swered Dick, with emphasis.
The Squire let go of Dicks collar took out
MS pocketbook, and produced a bank note
NOW he said, you just tell us the
truth, and put us on to one or both the
Chalkers, and that notes yours"
ave told you the truth" replied Dick,
eyelng the note eagerly, land | carn't put
you on to Chalker junior, eos e is out O.
town and avin' is 'oliday. But can put
you on to Chalker senior, if you like"
How will you manage it?'
This way, guv'nor. Chalker seniors
k1se at the law courts won't be hover to-
day; and ell ave to stop there till the
courts rise at 4. Then e amt comm back
ere, but 'e's a goin' strght to the Temple
Station to tike the trine to 'Ounslow. where
e 'angs hout when 'e's at 'ome. This I
knows, guv'nor, COS es guv me orders to
bring the letters from the horfice, and to
wife for i'm in the Temple bookin' horfice
at 4:15."
"ls this the real TRUTH" demanded Ma
Jor Lascelles, sternly
elD me, guv'nor, it's gospel Now. if
you four gents jest follows me when | goes
to meet Chalker senior with the letters
ana watches me Civ 'em to i'm, why then
you'll ave the very bloke you want"
Nov you understand. young man." said
the Squire that if we find you playing us
any trick, not only will you go minus your
hver, but you'll get such a thrashing as
you'll remember
Lord fove yer. guv'nor, amt goin' for
to ply you no tricks. l don't howe Chalk
crs no love-bless ye. / serves 'em COS
of the thirteen bob. And thirteen bob's
though it amt orlways pide regular. But
they've done me more than one shabby
turn and | shan't be sorry to cry quits
with 'em, you may bet your boots
A short council of war was now held
by tie four horsewhips, and it was de-
cided to adopt the clerks suggestion.
BY and by-shortly before o'clock, in
fact-thc Major and his friend were to re-
turn TO the office, aud the four of them,
under the guidance of Dick would then re-
rsir to their rendezvous at the bottom of
Arundel street.
1his was the programme, and it was
faithfully carried out They reached their
point of ambush soon after 4 o'clock; but
they We're kept waiting for some time.
The four avengers, especially Major Las
celles and his friend began to betray symp-
toms of impatience, and they locked sus-
piciously at Dick, their guide At 440, how
ever, the longed-for moment arrived.
Hist" exclaimed Dick. in an excited
whisper. Hist! Here he comes."
(Which? Where?" all demanded in one
breath.
There! There! m en- the hoppos te pve-
ment; the little old cove with the bag"
Dick, huriedly. "Thsts Chalker
senior
There was a rush on the part of the aveng-
ers; then a scufIie, oaths shouts. protests,
the sound of savage lashes and piercing
cries Of pain
The Squire and the solicitor. however,
took no part in the fray but at the first
onset they and Dick slipped away in the
dusk, ana the two military gentlemen had
Their victim all to themselves.
Major Lascelles and his friend had to pay
exemplary fines for their assault upon Mr.
Justice Shortt Had it not been established
that they were the victims of a humiliating
hoax they would certainly have been sent
to hard labor.
As for Chalker Brothers, their place
knows them no more. 1t is GENERALLY sup
posed that they are carrying on their busi-
ness elsewhere under a changed name.
Anyway, they have not yet been brought to
book, and the next move is still with Sir
Hordtio Shortt and his two military assail- I
ants.-London Truth.