St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-06

street. Taking his place among the
last of the laughing dimly seen fig
ures, John Steele walked boldly on and
found himself moment later on the
sidewalk of Surrey road. He was
aware that some one, a woman. had
touched his arm as if to take it. of
light feminine voice and an abrupt ex-
clamation of surprise. Walking swift
ly to one of the last cabs, he sprang
in.
ga little errand first, driver" he
called out. ''To'-and mentioned a
street-"as fast as you can" The man
Strengthened. touched his horse with
his whip. and. wheeling quickly, they
dashed away.
AS they did so John Steele thought
he heard EXPLANATIONS behind Look
ing through the cab window. he saw at
the gate the company gazing after
him, obviously not yet recovered from
their thrill of surprise following his
unexpected action. He observed also
two men on the other side of the
street. who now ran across and held
a brief alteration with one of the
cabmen. AS they were about to enter
the cab several persons in the party
apparently interviewed. eXpostulating
vigorously. 1t was not difficult to
surmise the resentment of the group
at this attempted summary seizure of
a second one of their cabs.
'"Those men must not overtake US.
cabby. Go where you will! You I'M
derStand? p
The man did. His fingers closed
quickly on a sovereign, and once more
he dashed his horse. For some time
they continued at rapid pace, now
skirting the confines Of the park now
plunging into a puzzling tangle of
streets, but wherever they went the
other cab managed always to keep
them in sight. 1t even began to
creep up nearer. From his pocket
John Steele drew a weapon. His eyes
cleaned ominously. The pursuing
hanson drew closer. Casting d hur-
ried glance over his shoulder, he again
called up to the driver
Its no use, guv'ner," came back
the reply. This 'oss as been out long
er than is"
"Then turn the first dark corner and
slow up a bit. for only a second. Aft
erward go on your very best as long
as you can"
Another sovereign changed hands,
and shortly afterward the vehicle
dashed into a side street 1t appeared
as likely a place as any for his pur
pose. John Steele, hardly waiting for
the man to draw rein, leaped out as
far as he might. He landed without
mishap, heard a whip snap furiously
and darted back into doorway He
had just reached it when the other cab
drew near. For an instant he felt
certain that he had been seen, but the
pursuers' eyes were bent eagerly ahead
''This'n mean a flyer for you, my
man." he heard one of them shout to
the driver. We've got him, by A
harsh, jubilant cry cut the air; then
they were gone.
John Steele did not wait Replacing
the weapon in his pocket, he started
quickly around the corner. His cab
man could not lead them far: they
would soon return.
Which way should he move? His
face burned with fever; he did not
heed it. A long, broad thoroughfare
as he walked on had suddenly unfold
ed itself to his gaze. One side of this
highway shone respondent with the
faring lights of numerous stands and
stalls displaying vegetables and mis-
cellaneous articles.
About to turn back from this animal
ed scene, John Steele hesitated The
road ran straight and sure toward the
destination he wished to reach, while
on either hand lay a network of devi-
Gus ways.
He decided, crossed the street.
Lights cleaned in his face. He push
ed his way through the people unmo-
Tested and STROBE on, followed only by
the noise of passing vehicles and carts.
On, on John Steele moved; on, on.
Time passed. 1t would be hard bat
tie, but once in that part of the city
he was striving to reach he might find
those willing to offer him shelter-low-
born, miserable wretches he had help
ed In their midst was the one man
in the world who could throw a true
light on the events of the past, enable
him to
Behind him some one followed, some
one who drew ever nearer. with soft,
skulking steps which now he heard
"Mr. SteeIer' Even as he wheeled
his name was called out.
Before the sudden fierce passion
cleaning on John Steele's face, the
bright fame of his look, the person
who had accosted him shrank back.
His pinched ana pale face showed sur