The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

praisng it with the usual chatter of his class. Having removed stains from the garments of several, he turned suddenly to Slkes and cried; Here is stain on the hat of this gentleman"
 lie got no further. With hideous cuIse. Skes overthrow the table and rushed from the place.
 Finding presently that he was not pursued. he recovered sufficiently to reason that they probably considered him merely some drunken, surly fellow, and he tried to plan what he should do next. It was dark and he was in doubt. At , last he found a shed in a fleld and de- cided to seek rest for the night.
 lie laid himself close to the wall. The formless feeling that had overcome him in the room, that had been growing on him all day, had formed itself now Into a fear of something that was behind him. Even though he pressed as closely as he could 10 the black space of the shed he had thls terror
 While he lay there, he heard shouting in the distance. He regained his courage at the prospect of danger that he could meet and he sprang up, to see a build ing ablaze, far across the fields There were people there-light and activity. It was like new life to him. He ran toward the place.
 They were playing on the fire with an engine and with buckets. Everybody was shouting, and slkes shouted, too, and pl1nged into the wild work, now work ing at the pumps, now hurrylng Into the smoke and fire, but always seeking the place where men were thlckest.
 He toiled till morning came and there was nothing left but hill of embers and backened ruins. The mad excitement over his fear came on him ten fold. He looked suspiciously at the little groups that formed to converse about the fire The dog obeyed the stealthy beck of his finger They slunk off, quietly together.
 He walked till he almost dropped. He lay in a hidden lane and had long, un- easy sleep. He walked again, and turned hther and thlther irresolute. He feared another solitary night in the black fields. Suddenly this fear so grew that he re- solved to turn back to London.
 There's somebody to speak to there at least." he said to himself. "A good hiding place, too, after all this country scent. I'll lie by for a week and then force blunt from Fagin, and get across to France. Damme, I'll risk itl"
 It came to him that the dog would be- tray him. He picked up q heavy stone and tied it in handkerchief and walked along. looking for pond.
 The animal looked up into his masters face. Perhaps the robbers side glance at him warned him. He began to skulk little in the rear. When Sikes stopped at the brink of pool and looked around to call him. he stopped outright.
 DO you hear me call?9 exclaimed Sikes. Come here."
 z The dog came up from the force of habit. but the moment Sikes stopped to tie the stone 10 him, he started back with deep growl. Come back" said Sikes.
 The dog wagged his tail, advanced. retreated. paused an instant, turned, and secured away at top speed.
 slkes whistled again and again, and sat down to wait for thesanimal to re- turn. But no dog appeared. and at last he resumed his journey.
 That night, in a room at the top of filthy tenement that stood close on the Thames oyerhanging a muddy creek that ebbed and flowed along the rotten foun- dations of the house. there sat Toby Crackit and two others of Fagins gang Toby crackit, quite abandoning the swagger for which he was famous. looked gloomingly on one of his compan- ions. who had just come in with news. This is a smashi" said he biting his lips There's more than one will go with this"
 Every ken Is filled with traps.' said the bringer of news. You should ha' heard the people groan. when they brought Fagin out. The officers fought like devils, or they'd ha' torn him away. He clung to them. all muddy and bleed-