The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-14

without quite perishing.
Oliver knew nothing Of his parent
age, except that his mother had been
picked up dying OH the roadside and
that he had been born in the poor.
house, to which they carried her
When Fasin found him and took h'rr
TO his den he did so merely because
he thought that the waits innocent
face would make him an excellent as.
set as pocketbook. Before long,
however, he learned that oliver was
better asset than that.
man who had possession OF a
small fortune TO which the boy was
heir had started secret inquiries, hop
Ing to assure himself that Oliver was
dead and that his possession could not
be disputed. The search led him at
last 10 Fasin: and that kindly old
gentleman. always eager 10 do beneyo-
lent deeds. agreed 10 keep tho lad in
his hands and make a thief of him
Mr. Fagin did not tell tho visitor that
ih would have made thief OF oliver
anyway. He pockcted the excellent
bride that was offered and Rugged
himself at the gleeful thought OF the
many other sums that he would eXtort
as hush money in future.
AS a first step toward CARRYING out
his plans, Fasin decided to lend oliver
TO Mr.. Skies. who had a house break
ing job in mind which demanded tho
services OF small boy to crawl
through pantry window. Before
they started Mr.. Skies stood the boy
up in front OF him, while he produced
n pistol. You know wot this is, ch?"
he growled. well then. look here!
This is powder. That ores a bullet.
This is little bit of old hat foI
waddin'." He proceeded to load tho
pistol with great nicely and delibera
ZION. Then he put the barrel to the
boys head. Now" said he, savagely,
''if You speak word when you go
ont with me. except when l speak to
you. that loading Will be in your head
without nOticei"
Having been Joined by Toby crackit;
they made their way, cautiously, TO
the country house marked out for rob.
berry. With final terrible threat,
Skies lifted the little boy to the win
dow and pushed him through. Trem-
bling with terror, the lad crept for
ward with only one conscious idea in
mis- ncwiidercd brain 1t was to alarm
Inc inmates as soon as ho was out OF
the range of Sikcs's pistol
lie had not moved far, when the
honscbrcakcr shouted: Back. Back
There was a flash and n stunning re-
port, and Oliver fell. He had staggered
and tumbled backward where Skies
could reach him. The powerful man
pulled him through the little aperture
and set of at top speed, carrying the
BOY slnng over his back, head down.
The house servant, who had shot him,
pursued them with others whom the
alarm had raised. and at last the rob-
Der hard pressed. dropped his burden
IN ditch and ran on.
Skies cursed when he say that no
was alone. and that Toby Crackit,
thanks TO long legs and long head,
mad gotten clear away. having started
of at the Arst alarm. Mr.. Crackit
succeeded in keeping SO far ahead Of
the hunt that he managed to get to
London. while Skies had 10 lilo close in
the country, waiting more favorable
opportunity.
Mr. Crackit was amazed when he
saw the effect that his news had on
Iagin. The hoy! Tho boy!" screamed
fagin, looking like red devil. He
pulled his grizzled. matted hair, as his
vehement manner was when he was
sorely frightened or excited. and rush
ed hcadlong out of don to Sikes's
! dwelling place.
| lie found only Nancy there; and In
| ms rage he screamed at her that Skies
! must bring tile boy back at any cost,
Hes worth hundreds OF pounds TO
l me" he cried, his fury getting the