Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-03
CHAPTER VI.
- - ~ - 30.

THE MAN on THE BOX.
At 1880 he locked up his book and
took 90 his room the ny sterious bundle
which 20 had purloined from the sta
bles. IL contained the complete livery
OF a groom. The clothes fitted rather
snugly. especially across the shoulders
He stood before the pier-glass. and
complacent mot 20 say roEuish) smile
fitted across his face. The black half
boots. the white doeskin breeches. the
brown brass-buttoned frock, and the
white hat with the brown cockado
Well. my word for it. he was
the handsomest iehu Washington ever
turned out. With a grin he touched
his hat to the reflection in the glass.
and burst out laughing. His face was
as smooth as a baby's for he had gen.
erously sacrificed his beard.
I can hear him saying TO himself.
Lord. but this is a larki Iii have TO
take another Scotch TO screw up the
edge of my nerve Won't the boys
laugh when they hear how I stirred the
girls frizzos. Wen have little par
" here when they all get home. It's
a good joke"
Mr.. Robert did not prove much Of a
prophet Many days were to pass ere
he reentered his brothers house.
He stole quietly from the place. He
hadn't proceeded more shan a block
when he became aware OF the fact that
he hadn't penny in his clothes. This
discovery disQuieted him. and he half
turned about 20 go back. He couldn't
go back. Tie had no key.
"Pshaw, 7 won't need any money"
and ne started of toward Connect
cut avenue. He dared NOT hail a car.
and he would not have dared had he
possessed the fare. Some one might
recognize him. Ie walked brislly for
ten minutes The humor OF the es-
capade appealed to him ercatly, and
he had an Doc corll 90 TO smother
the frequent bursts of laughter which
surged to hls nps Bic reached absent
~ for hls ciear-case. no money, no
cigars.
''Thats bad Without q cigar I'm
likely 90 SCI nervous. Scraplng of
that beard made me foreeuul. JOve.
with these heshinrs. ] feel as self-con-
scious as an uuuiel chorus girl These
toss can't Doe very warm in winter.
Hai that must be the embassy where
all those lights are; carriages. Al
lonsi"
To make positive, re stopped a pc
destrian.
Pardon me. sir" he said, touch ing
his hat. "but win you De so kind as
10 inform me If yondor is the British
embassy
1T is. my man" replied the gen
tleman.
Thank YOU, sir"
And each pessed on to his affairs
Nov for William; we must find
William, or the joke will be on Rob
ert."
He maneuyeTed his way through
the congested thoroughfare. searching
the faces OF the erooms aud footmen.
lie lodged hitler and thither and was
once brought 10 a halt by the mounted
police.
Here you, What dye mean by run
ming around like this. Lost your car
riage. hey? I've mind TO run ye
in. Y know the rules relatin' tn leav-
in' of yer box in times like these. Been
takin' sly nip. probably. an they've
sent yer hack down a PEG. Get a gait
on y. now
Warburton laughed silently as he
made for the sidewalk. The first man
he pumped into was Williams very
much worried William. too. Robert
could have fallen on his neck for JOY
All was plain sailing now.
I'm very glad to see you, sir" said
William. i was AFRAID you could not
get my clothes on, sir. I was getting
a trife worried, too Here's the car.
rage number"
Warburton glanced hastily at 1t and
stuffed IL into a convenient pocket
Its Is carriages up. sir; a bay and
a gray. You can't miss them. The
bay, being a saddle-horse, is a bit rest
i've in the harness: but all you have
to do is TO touch him with the whip
And don't try to push ahead of your
turn. or you win get into trouble with
the police. They are very strict And
don't let them confuse you. sir. The
numbers won't be in rotation. You'll
hear lis, and the next moment IS, like
as not. It's ali according as TO how
the guests are leaving. Good luck to
you. sir, and don't forget 10 explain Il