The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01

would go away he would see that hs ] mother and sister did not want. If he 1 stayed all his help would be withdrawn l from them at once.
 Without money, without employment, what could Nicholas do but take a ten l der farewell of his family and go his way? At first he tried giving French | lessons to the Miss Kenwigses. the four daughters of Newman Noggs's landlord, but that was hardly remunerative
 enough to support himself and Smike. He l tried other things-casting about him as | young man without trade or a pro- 1 fession will in a great city, and failed to ] catch anything worth having by his l casts.
 | At last he resolved to go down into the country, where competition was less keen. There chance brought it about | that he fell in with a strolling company
 and he became an actor, and a pretty l good one, under the tuition of the Crum-
 mics family. Smike was drilled into playing a walking part. and for time l Nicholas prospered
 But Newman Noggs had promised to keep watch over Ralph Nickleby and
 over Kate and her mother. and let Mich olas know at once should his presence ] in London be required.
 The storm broke suddenly. He received a letter from Newman warning him that l there was wrong in Ralphs treatment | of Kate. and begging him to come to , London at once.
 | To London, therefore, Nicholas hast ened, and in the first night of his arrival | learned why his presence had been re- | quiredlearn 1t in manner more start ling than any story Newman Noggs l could tell him.
 Nicholas left Smike at Newmans ladg- | ings and went out for a walk, planning l to be back there by the time NoBgs | should arrive home. But he was hun gry He had eaten nothing since early 1 morning, and youth will call for it's own i in spite of anxiety. He saw restaurant
 "a rather expensive place" he thought 1 but went in and called for refreshments. 1 It was a highly decorated place and
 highly decorated men, evidently of the I ornate and sporting class, were sitting 1 about talking loudly. Suddenly, in a
 box behind him a man shouted out; Here's to the little Nickleby-pretty ilt-
 tie Kate. We'll give the first glass or ] the fresh magnum to her 1 She's a true Nickleby," said another voice. She's a true niece of her uncle
 Ralph s. She hangs back, the jade, to be
 more sought after
 'Yes, internal cunning" simpered two ! l berry.
 | Nicholas ssrang from his seat and ap- 1 preached the group. "I would have d
 word with you. sir he said to the man
 addressed as Sir Mulberry. Upon my word, l don't know you' 1 said the Baronet, eyeing Nicholas lhso- 1 Iently. Nicholas threw his card on the
 table. saying: That is my name My
 business you can guess
 Here, you, sir!" cried Sir Mulberry to
 n waiter. Throw this card in the hre.
 Give me your name' shouted Nich-
 olas. quite beside himself. You cannot
 escape me
 l For reply the stranger coolly adjust
 ed his neckcloth. walked out of the place and entered a waiting cabriolet. Let go
 her head" said he to the groom ] Nicholas sprang on the step ana 1 seized the reins. The mare was hlgh l spirited and plunged violently The 1 groom released his hold of the frightened
 animals head Sir Mulberry brought his 1 whip down violently on Nicholas. II hroke in the struggle and Nicholas, gain | ing possession of the heavy end, laid
 omen the Baronets face from the eye to l the lip.
 1 It was all done in a second, and then | Nicholas lay stunned on the pavement
 while the runaway mare went wildly
 careering up the sidewalk, dragging the cabriolet from side to side, until there came a loud cry, the smashing of | heavy body, and Sir Mulberry Hawh was picked out of the ruins. not dead