The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-02-08

- oAN
Though it was four O'Clock on a dark
winter evening, I decided that the
streets would be as safe as any cab
for me and, a there would be time
for me to walk to my lodgings and
still catch the night boat, I set off at a
brisk pace. had reached the National
gallery before l was satisfied that l was
not being followed-at any rate, close
ly. My route nows lay through a maze
OF narrow streets Of unsavcry reputa-
t1on.- Should l attempt their passage?
1t seemed to me that all places were
equally precarious just now. 1 had
halted at the entrance to one of those
little ol~d-fashioned hotels, still fire.
quented by travellers, though their en-
croaching slum neighbors are gradual
ly driving out the better class of visit
ors. While l vas debating, suddenly q
muf1ed, but Enthusiastically feminine
voice, crying for help, reached my ears.
Immediately a hanson wheeled round
the corner and drew in near the hotel
entrance. A second later I perceived
two men half leading, half dragging a
yelled lady toward the doors. She
seemed suddenly to have awakened to
a realization of her destination, for she
began to struggle violently and to
scream. One of the men clapped his
hand over her lips and unceremonious-
ly they bundled her into the hanson.
Should I intervene? Or was this but
some trick to lure me out of the broad
thoroughfare into that maze of secret
streets and there to rob me? AS l
waited one last cry came to me, SO
piercing in Its agony that l almost re-
GREETED my prudence; but before l
could finally run to the girls aid I
heard men running in answer to her
call, and suddenly the cabman dashed
his horse and the vehicle disappeared
into the gathering murk and fog.
Certainly matters were becoming
lively! And l had been gone but a
short half hour already!
| retraced my steps homeward, not
penetrating the narrow maze of alleys
that lay nearest, and arrived in time to
discover Talbot, my servant soldier,
laying the table for my dinner. I babe
him pack my grip instantly and get
me ready for the Paris boat.
Wont you tyke me with you, STRIP
he pleaded. Them froggies is narsty
devils, sir. I'd like to go, sir. Two
leads is better than one, sir, and DOL
look after you when you're asleep,
Them frog-eaters will trap O into a
dooel, sir"
Talbot and I had gone through many
strange adventures together, and there
was no man whose company l would
have preferred. But in this cast l had
to dispense with him, for my mission
was a brief one and I could not be
troubled with a companion, especially
as French was the one'language Talbot
would not or could not learn.
When he found that l was obdurate,
Talbot set about packing my grip.
Then, at my instructions, he sewed the
precious document within the lining of
my coat. And so, grasping the now
empty wallet, l set off for Charing
Cross station, which I, reached without
mishap. At nine o'clock 1 was en-
route for Dover; at midnight l was
aboard the night boat for Calais. 1 can
hardly express the thankfulness l felt
at having at least performed the first
part OF the journey in safety. BY the
morrow noon, my task fulfilled, I
should be on my way homeward.
did not sleep, but lay down to rest
in my berth. l am not the best of sail
ors and the action Of the waves pro-
duced in me that sensation from which
even those of the blood royal are not
exempt. The lights we're low in the
cabin. saw no n approach me. In
spite Of my resolution I must have
dozed of slightly-for I started up
suddenly, to hear the steward announ-
cling that the lights of Calais harbor
were visible and that we were near the
end OF our journey.
So lightly had my eyes closed. so
firmly had l held the wallet, none could
have approached to rob me of it, 1 felt
sure, without instant detection. And
yet-was that my wallet? My wallet
had had a silver lock, and this, though
otherwise a creditable resemblance,
had one of untinned brass. Thorough
ly alarmed, I sprang to my feet and
felt at my coat. Thank heaven, the
treaty still reposed within the lining.
But now for the first time I realized
how crafty, how %implacable, were the
enemies that pursued me. The wal
let must have been substituted while
l dozed. I flung it away across the
cabin. I must watch myself the more
carefully, for undoubtedly they would
attempt their coup during the night
journey between Calais and Paris.
Strangely enough, there was not a
sleeping compartment to be had, and
l was forced to content myself with an
ordinary carriage. l did, however, sue
coed in obtaining n for myself, saw
the door closed, and, as the train
steamed out Of the station, congratu-
lated myself upon a successful journey.
l had no further desire to sleep. The
dawn would find me in Paris, and
ready to perform my mission.
As the train sped on and I unused in
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