The wageworker., 1910-01-08

cept loutish-looking countryman in a
smock- -frock, who was swinging on a
gate hard by.
Good noight, maister," said >my
yokel. '..%
Good night to you," said my father.
"Can We tell me who this yer letters
| for?" said the yokel, producing fold
| ed paper
| My father saw in a moment that it
| was his own letter to Bradshaw.
Where did you get that?" he said
| quickly.
"Ah!" replied the yokel, replacing
it in his pocket, that I'D be tellins.
Be yer expecting anybody?"
What's that to your" said my ia
ther.
''Oh, nought,'' said the yokel, "only
a gentleman from London"
| "Ha!" cried my father; what gen
tleman?"
| "Will name beginning with F suit
you?" asked the yokel
| Fraser" The word fell involun-
tarily from my fathers lips.
That's the name," replied the yokel,
jumping down from his seat, and
changing his tone and manner in a
moment. 'Im Fraser, sir and you're
Mr.. Sandiger, as has been robbed of
pocketbook containing valuable pa
pers; and we're going to catch Tom
Rocket as has got it-thats our game.
sir. All right. sir; now to business"
| But where are your men?" my IA
ther asked, when Fraser had explained
the reason for his disguise.
"All right again, SIR" said the run
ner, they will join us. We have not
much time to lose, SO please to lead
the way"
This was his plan: Two of his
men were to lie hidden on each hur
die, while he and my father, in boat
that was concealed beneath the main
arch of the bridge, unseen themselves,
could watch the heap of stones where
the money was to be placed, and the
stolen pocketbook left in exchange
for it. AS soon as Tom Rocket, or any
of his friends, removed the bag in
which the gold was packed Fraser was
to white. and his men were to climb
from their hiding places, and secure
whoever it might be. If he leaped
over the railing of the causeway, and
took to the water, there was the boat
in which to follow him.
My father gave him the bag, saw
him write upon it,, and make some
scratches on about dozen of the
guineas, and then my father let him.
self down into the boat, in which he
was Immediately Joined by the runner.
ITS all right" said Fraser, in a low
tone.
DO you tninn he will Gomez" wits
pered my father.
Certain replied Fraser, but,
hush! we must not talk, sir; times
up"
For three mortal hours did my fa-
ther sit in that boat, and the runners
lay stretched out on the broad of their
backs upon those hurdles, watching
for Tom Rocket to come for his
money; and for three mortal hours
not soul approached the bridge, not
sound but the wash of the swollen
river was heard By the time that
the clock struck three, my father, who
had been nodding for the last 20 min
utes, fell fast asleep as he sat Gov
cred up in his cloak, for it was bitter
cold night; but was very speedily
aroused by hearing Fraser cry out that
they were adrift.
My father was for returning direct
ly to the bridge, and so was Fraser /;
but, somehow or other, they lost each
other in the dark, and when my father
arrived there, having run nearly all ths
way, he found, to his great surprise
/ that the officers had left. He rushed
to the heap of stones, and there the
| fist thing that caught his eye was
! his pocketbook-the money was gone
Lord, how he did swear!
Determining to have it out with the
, runners for deserting their posts, he
hurried on to the inn. Tied into five
chairs, hand and foot, trussed up like
so many Christmas turkeys, with five
) | gage in their five months. and their
five pairs of eyes glaring at him owl
ishly, sat the real Mr.. Fraser and his
four Bow street runners. Tom Rocket
had managed the business at the
: bridge himself!
Upon examining his pOcketbook, my
: father found all his documents, and a
8 paper on which was written these
! words:
!; By destroying these writings I could
r have ruined you. In doing so I should
: | have injured your client, whom respect
For his sake keep my word. though you
have played me false
' TOM ROCKET.
Here Mr.. Josh paused, and smoked
for some time in silence.
r "And what became of Tom?" asked
one of the company.
4 "Well," replied Mr.. Josh, ''after hav
ing been tried three times, and get
r ting off upon some law bubble on each
S occasion, he,-who had robbed to the
worth of thousands of pounds and es
caped-was executed at nottingham
! for stealing an old bridle!'