The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-04

have him think me So he's been doing h.s best to run me to my bnrrow
 And you call that nothingi
 -.1I would be something If he haa succeeded; but he is still to do that. | admit. however, that he made me sit up for the time being. If all comes of going on the job so far from nome. There was the old brute with the whole thing in his morning paper. lie knew it must have been done by some fellow who could pass himself off Tor a gentleman. and l saw his eyebrows go up the moment l told nm was the man. with the same old twang that YOU could cut with q paper-knife. did my best to get out of it-swore I had a pal who was real swell-but 1 saw very plainly that l had given my self away He gave up haggling. He paid my price as though he enjoyed doing it. But l felt him following me when l made tracks; though of course I didn't turn round 10 sec
 Why not2n
 My dear Bunny it's the very worst thing you can do. As long as you look msuspeeting they'll keep their distance, and so long as they keep their distance you stand a chance Once show that you know you're being followed and it's flight or fight for all you're worth. I never even looked round; and mind you, never do in the same hole. l just hurried up to Black friars and booked for High street. Kensington, at the top of my voice; and as the train was leaving Sloane Square out I hopped and up all those stairs like a lamplighter and round to the studio by the back streets. Well, to be on the safe side, l lay low there all the afternoon, hearing nothing in the least suspicious and only wishing l had a window to look through in- stead of that beastly sl1ylight How ever the coast seemed clear enough. and thus far 1t was my mere idea that he would follow me. There was noth- ing to show he had. So at last I marched out in my proper rig-almost straight into old Bairds armsr'
 What on earth did you do2'
 Walked past him as though I had never set eyes on him in my life, and didn't then; took a hanson in the Kings Road and drove like the deuce to Clapham Junction, rushed on the nearest platform with out a ticket, jumped into the first train I saw, got out at Twiekenham, walked full tilt back to Richmond, took the District to Charing Cross and here l am! Ready for a tub and a change and the  came to you first because l thought you might be getting anxious. Come round with me and l won't keep you long,.
 You're certain you've given him the slip?" l said, as we put on our hats.
 Certain enough but we can make assurance doubly sure" said Rallies. and went to my window, where he stood for a minute or two looking down into the street.
 All right?" I asked him
 All right" said he. and we went downstairs forthwith and so to the Albany arm in arm.
 But we were both rather silent on the way. l, for my part, was won dering what Rallies would do about the studio in Chelsea. whither at all events he had been successfully dogged. To me the point seemed one of immediate importance. but when I mentioned it he said there was time enough to think about that. His one other remark was made after we had nodded Gin Bond street. to a young blood of your acquaintance who hap pened to be getting himself a bad name.
 Poor Jack Rutterl" said Rallies, with a sigh. Nothing sadder than to see a fellow going to the bad like that He's about mad with drink and debt, poor devill Did you see his eye? Odd that we should have met him to- night, by the way; it's old Baird who Is said to have skinned him. By God, but I'd like to skin old Baird!'
 And his tone took a sudden low fury. made the more noticeable by another long silence which lasted, in- deed, throughout an admirable dinner at the club and for some time after we had settled down in a quiet corner of the smoking room with our coffee and cigars. Then at last l saw Rallies looking at me with his lazy smile and I knew that the morrose fit was at an end.
 'I dare say you wonder what I've been thinking about all this time?' said he I've been thinking what rot 1t is to go doing things by halves!'
 Well" said l. returning his smile, that's not charge that you can bring against yourself, is it?''
 Pm not so sure said Rallies, blow ing a meditative puff; "as a matter of fact was thinking less of myself than of that poor devil of Jack Rut- ter There's a fellow who does things by halves; he's only half gone to the bad. and look at the difference be- tween him and us He's under the thumb of a Villainous money-lender;