Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-02-28
IN THE LONDON FOG.

home at midnight.
1t was impossible to get any kind of
conveyance to the station, and Chorley,
therefore, set out on foot. The fog did
not bother him very much, as he knew
every inch of the way. Had he not
walked or 'bused it for something like
thirty years? This evening, of course, he
! had to trust to instinct, as he could
| scarcely see the pavement under his feet,
| but he reckoned that he must be just
about to turn into Finsbury Circus, when
he suddenly cannoned into a burly man
who had all at once materialized out of
the fog.
u really beg pardon" spluttered Choir
ley.
Don't mention it, sir replied the
stranger good -humoredly. It's the kind
of weather for that sort of thing. Could
you tell me if Pm anywhere near Fleet
street ?"
Fleet street," echoed Chorley Good
gracious, man, you're coming away from
it,"
ooh, no, I'm not said the stranger
positively. II may be some distance
from it, but I'm certainly ON the right
road"
That's nonsense" said Chorley. you're
steering straight in the opposite direc-
ton. l know. I've been along this road
man and boy, for thirty years and l."
You can have been on it since the
food, for all care" said the stranger
But you're out of your bearings now"
Chorley felt annoyed that his knowl-
edge of the London streets should be
questioned by mere outsider like this
Look here. he said, an prove to you
that I'm right About twenty PAGES
from here the street suddenly widens-"
''Rats!" retorted the stranger, not very
politely, as he passed on his way.
But Chorley was determined to satisfy
himself, at least, of the exaetitude of his
knowledge of the locality. He carefully
counted his steps in order to see whether
it would take twenty or twenty-five to
bring him 20 the spa. hs had in mind.
| And at the fifteenth step he crashed into
a brick wall with sueh suddenness that
/ his hat was knocked abruptly off his
Head.
Chorley struck a match and recovered
his hat from the gutter. He could not
remember having met that wall before
But as it seemed idle to suppose that
the street had taken advantage of the
fog to turn itself round, he could only
conclude that, after all, he had mistaken
the turning. step or two more brought
him to a brightly lighted shop before
! the door of which rough looking man
stood smoking a pipe. Chorley thought
he would discuss his whereabouts with
this person.
''Do turn to the left or the right for
Finsbury Circus? p he inquired,
where's Finsbury Circus when it's at
'ome 2" asked the rough looking man.
I'VE 'ad Sangersee Circus up this way
last year, but
"Finsbury Circus is close by, man."
/ said Chorley. whats the name of this
street %
This is the Whitecbapel road, man."
replied the rough looking person.
"0h, nonsense" replied Chorley. 81
know better than that, Why"
| We'll, If you know better what yer
want to come arstin' me for, them" said
the rough looking man surlily. Il ought
! er know. | bin ERE ton vears AI.'. be-
sides" ne added, as If new idea had
suddenly struck him. dye mean to say
rs what IlE n liar?"
"Oh, dear, no." Chorley FASTENED to as
sure him, Il merely thought you might
| be mistaken OF course, YOU must be
right. | seem to hava been coming away
| from Finsbury Circus all the time"
shouldn't wonder granted the rough
looking man, looking as far ahead of him
as the fog permitted.
| You see continued Chorley, II want
to get to Kings Cross"
Well, keep straight on" said the man,
| "and your come to the underground rail-
way That's your best way night like
this"
Chorley thanked him and stepped
hriskly forward, lie did not know
much about Whiteehapel, but he had al
] ways heard L wasn't a nice place at
night, especially if the night was over
dark OF foggy; and he rather fancied he
would be glad 10 get to the under
| ground stStion as soon as possible. Aft
er he had gone about half mile, man
who wore striped Jersey instead of
wsistcoat stopped him and said, ciyilly
enough:
Ave YOU got The right time on you,
guv'nor?'
Certainly" replied Chorley, unbutton.
ing his coat, and taking out his watch.
Its Just"
That was as far as he could get. The
| civil-Jongued man grabbed the watch
with jerk, and was lost in the fog a
moment later. Chorley gasped for breath
ut the suddenness of it all and then he
| shouted:
Stop thief hi stop hint"
\ few moments later a policeman. at
tracted by Choiiey's cries, stepped out
of the fog
What's up. mister?' he said. Lost
auythingy"
Yes said Chorley. "A man came
up and snatched my watch If you're
quicl, youIl catch him"
All" said the policeman. (which way
did ne go?'
This way" said Chorley. pointing
through the fog "EI-ro--I mean. that