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

but l would avert tragedy at all costs. And Nhen no such encounter had taken place, and Rallies and I were tairly on our way 10 Willesden that, l think, was still my honest resolve. 1 would not break my word if l could help it, but 1t was comfort to feel that could break it if l liked, on an understood penalty. Alasi l fear my good intentions were tainted with n devourins curiosity and overlaid by the fascination which goes hand in hand with horror
 l have poignant recollection of the hour it took us io reach the house We walked across St James park q can see the lights now, bright on the bridge and blurred in the waterl, and we had somc minutes to wait for the last train to Willesden. It left at 1l:21, I remember, and Raf- fles was put out to fine it did not go on to Kcnsal Rise Me had to get out at Willesden Junction and walk on through the streets into fairly open country that happened to be quite new to me. l could never find the house again I remember. how ever, that k'e were on a dark foot path between the woods and fields when the clocks began striking twelve
 Surely" said we shall find--him in bed and asleep?"
 T hope we do,' said Rallies, grimly.
 'fhen you mean to break in?'
 What else do you thinlI?'
 l had not thought about it al an; the ultimate crime had manopolized my mind Beside it burglary was a bagatelle. but one to depreeate none the less. | saw obvious objections; the man was au fait with craeksmen and their ways; he would certainly have firearms, and might be the first to use them
 Y could wish nothing better said r Rallies. Then it would be man to man., and devil take the worst shot. You don't suppose l prefer foul play to fair do you? But die he must. by one or the other, or it's long stretch for you and me"
 Better that than thisl"
 "'rhen stay where you are, my good fellow | told you l didn't want you; and this Is the house. So, good night"
 ''I could see no house at all. only the angle of high wall rising soli- tary in the night, with the starlight gllttering on battlements of broken glass; and in the wall a tall green gate bristling with spikes. and show ing front for battering rams i'll the feeble rays an outlying lamp-post east across the new-made road. It seemed to me road of building sites, with but this one house built. all by itself, at one end; but the night was loo dark for more than mere lmpres- sion.
 Rallies, however. had seen the place by daylight. and had come prepared for the special obstacles already he was reaching up and putting cham pagne corks on the spikes, and in an- other moment he had his folded covert coat across the coilSs l stepped nacA as he raised himself and saw lttle pyramid of slates snip the sky above the gate; as he squirmed over | ran forward, and had my own weight on the spikes and corks and covert coat when he gave the latter tug
 Coming. afterall?'
 "Ratheri"
 "Take care then: the place Is all bellwires and springs. It's no so,t thing, this, There-stand still while take off the corks. '
 The garden was very small ana new, with grass-plot still in sepa- rate sods. but a quantity of full- grown laurels stuck into the raw clay beds. Bells in themselves" as Raf- hes whispered: there's nothing else rustles so-cunning old beast, Ana we gave them wide berth as we < crept across the grass.
 Hes gone to hedl
 T don't think so, Bunny. l believe he's seen us.''
 Why"
 T saw light"
 "Where?"
 Downstairs, for an instant when