The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-23
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY
CHAPTER XIV.
IAiPEACHED.


morning service. he was eight miles away. As
ne wanted his breakfast by that time, having
set forth on a crust OF bread, he stopped at the
next roadside tavern TO refresh.
Visitors in want of breakfast-unless they were
horses or cattle, for which class Of guests there
was preparation enough in the way of water
trough and hay-were so unusual at the sign
Of The Tilted Wagon, that il took long time
to get The wagon into the track OF tea and
toast and bacon. Neville in the interval, sit
ting in a sanded parlor wondering how long
a time after lie had gone. the sneezy fire of
damp fagots would begin TO make somebody else
warm.
Indeed The Tilted Wagon, as a cool establish
ment the top of hill. where the ground be-
fore the door was puddled with damp hoOfs and
trodden straw; where scolding landlady slap
ped moist baby with one red sock on and
one wantng) in the bar; where the cheese was
cast aground upon a shelf, in company with
a noldy tabecloth and a green handled knife,
in sort Of cast-iron canoe; where the pale
faced bread shed tears Of crumb over its ship
wreck in another canoe: where the family linen,
half washed and half dried. led public life of
lying about; where everything TO drink was
drunk out of mugs. and everything else was
suggestive of a rhyme to mugs; The Tilted
Wagon, all these things considered, hardly kept
its painted promise of providing good entertain
mcnt for Man and Beast. However, Man, in the
present case. was not critical, but took what
entertainment he could get. and went again
after a longer rest than he needed.
lie stopped at some quarter Of a mile from
the house. hesitating whether to pursue the
road, or to follow a cart track between two
high hedgegrows, which led across the slope OF
a breezy, heath. and evidently struck into the
road gain by-and-by. He decided in favor OF
this latter track. and pursued it with some toll;
the rise being steep, and the way worn into deep
ruts.
He was laboring along. when he became aware
Of some other pedestrians behind him. AS they
were coming up at a faster pace than his. ne
stood aside, against one Of the high banks, to LET
them pass. But their manner was very curious
Only four OF them passed. Other four slackened
speed, and loitered as intending TO follow him
when he should go The remainder of the
party Chalf-a dozen perhaps) turned and went
back at a great rate.
lie looked at the four behind him, and he
looked at the four before him. They all re-
turned his look. He resumed his way. The
four in adavnce went on, constantly looking
back; the four in the rear came closing up.
When they all ranged out from the narrow
track upon the opeE slope of the heath. and
this order was maintained, let him diyerge as
he would TO either side there no longer
room TO doubt that he was beset by these fel-
lows. He stopped. as a last test: and they all
stopped
why do you attend upon me in this way?'
he asked the whole body. Are you pack OF
thieves"
Don't answer him." said one of the num-
Der; he did not see which. Better be quiet
Better be quiet?" repeated Neville. ''WhC
said SOP
Nobody replied
Its good advice whichever Of you skulkers
gave it," he went on angrily. II will not sub
nit to be penned in between four men there
and four ~ men tbn nere oI wifn pop 70 pass anu
cluded
"If eight men, or four 4, or. two men, SCI
upon me- he ProeesG Srow ing =, more re e S1:
mark upon Some of them. And. by the Lord
I'll do it, If am interrupted any further!
his pace. he shot on to pass the four ahead
The largest and strongest man or The number
changed swiftly TO the side on which ne came
down with him; but not before the heavy stick
had descended smartly.
voice, as they struggled together on the grass
Fair play! His is the build OF girl to mine
and he's got weight strapped TO ms back be-
sides Let him alone. I'll manage HIM"
After little rolling about in a close scuftit
which caused the faces of both to he besmearec
with blood. the took his knee from Neville:
chest. and rose saying: .'Therel Now take
him arm-in- arm, any two of your
1t Immediately done.
LAS to our being a pack of thieves. Mr.. Land
and wp af 56T a o al s ne e % kno
than that at midday We wouldn't have touched
take You SO round to the high road anyhow an(
you'll find help enough against thieves there
If you want it.-Wipe his face somebody; SCI
how it's a-trckling down him.
When his face cleansed. Neville recog
nized In the speaker Joe, driver Of the Clois
ibuG Un ha
and that on the day of his arrival
And what / recommend you for the present
is. don't talk Mr. Landless You'll find
friend waiting for you at the nigh ,, roadogon'
nartiesEand YOU had much better say nothins
till you come up with him. Bring that sticl
along. somebody else and let's be moving
and said not a word Walking between his tive
conductors. who held his arms in theirs. h,
into the high road and into the midst of a It'll,
group IF people. The men who had turned bacl
r gasp eg snd ane s ffnta NdRe
conductors took him up to Mr.. Canon, and Their,
released him, as an act of Difference TO tina
What's all this; sir? What is the then natter
the group closing in around him.
Where is my nephew asked Mr. Jasper
Where is your nephew" repeated Neville
why do you ask me-?
were the last person in his company. and he il
not to be found"
Not to be found! cried Neville, aghast
me- Jasper. Mr. Neville. you are confounded
collect your thoughts; il is Of great importanc,
that you should collect your thoughts attend
Il will try sir, but seem mad"
"You left Mr. Jasper last night with Edwin
Drood?'
WAS it twelve o'clock? asked Neville, witt
his hand to his confused head. and appealing t,
.sbuite right said Mr.. CrisparkIe; 1.-The hou
Mr. Jasper has already named to me. You wen
| down to the river together
Undoubtedly. To see the action of the win,
what followed? How long did you sta!
about ten minutes; I should say not more
We then walked together TO your house. and h
| took leave OF at the door"
Did he say that he was going down to tn
mo. He said that he was going straigh
| back"
| Mr. Crisparkle. To whOm Mr. Jasper who ha,
! been intensely watching Neville said in a low
distinct. suspicious voice What are thos
All eyes were turned towards the blood upo,
And here are the same stains upon thf
stickr' said Jasper, taking it from the han,
OF the man who held il Il know the stick 10 b,
his, and he carried it last night. What does thii
I'm the name of God. say what it means
Neville." urged Mr.. CrisT aTkle.
ONT b ,d nn a@ @na aS Nsye p f IN
stick Just now. and you may see the same mark
on him. sir What was | 70 suppose; when
l dream Of the true reason when they woul,
give me none at ALL?
They admitted that they had thought il dis
Greet 10 be silent and tnat the struggle ma,
taken place And vet the very men who IA,
seen il looked darkly at the sInears which tn
I'VE must return. Neville" said Mr. Cri
sparkle: .'of course you will be glad TO COM