New Britain herald., 1924-01-17

be operated on tomorrow, and so she wants the baby out of the way. She didn't know she was going to have an operation. But someone's S got to take the baby while she's in hospital. Don't you see""
 II.
 The taxi had by this time reached Victoria and turned south- east into a network Of little black streets. It stopped suddenly at a corner, and Rhoda leaped out, telling me to wait moment. l craned out of the window to see where she went, She almost disappeared into the dark ness. but had an impression that as she stopped at a doorway she met another person. But my strained eyes at once lost sight of that other shape. l felt that l must have made a mistake, for, by that time. Rhoda had disappeared, either into the darkness of porch, or down some steps into a basement. l was not exactly enjoying my situation; though I sat in taxi I was in the middle Of some particularly mpleas- ant slums. No doubt the girl thought that. by stopping the cab some distance from her destination, should fail to trace her upon her strange mission. But she could not realize my profound knowledge of London; was in Guelf street. in reputedly criminal part Of Pimlico. 1t was quite possible for a gang Of roughs 10 hold up tho cab. But if this was a trap, I should have been asked into the house; besides. adven- turesses do not look for their prey in the neishborhood of the Chippen- ham, the poorer part of kilburn. So | watched, and after quarter of an hour from the doorway came Ithoda. slightly staggering under white burden. She was breathing hard as she arrived. and fererishly jumped into the taxi.
 T say" l remarked. where do you want to go tor''
 Back she said. with gasp Back. Quick. Back"
 You mean 10 the Chippenham
 Yes. No. no. not that. Tell him to go I'll tell him. Here,
 supplied. l held the baby which seemed to be asleep, while she told the csbman something hurried and then reIoineu me.
 AS soon as the door closed she the baby back from mo. turning her shoulder away. she held the bundle against her. making little soothing noises that were quite un- necessary since the child was asleep. l tried 10 talk to her. but for some reason she hardly an- svered me. She was in state of febrile excitement. Al last. when ] asked her what was the matter ! why she was in such C state. she nut i tered something about The woman having been so rude and trying to Dyercharge her.
 l was rather annoyed. The ad- . venture was absurd. To spend over m hour. on such night. carrying , girl and baby to and fro in Lon- 1, ion was most unsatisfactory. So ! sulked. Tn complete silence we | arrived al point in Elgin avenue where the cab stopped. This is | where I get off" said Rhoda. She | sas pulling herself together little | TOW, Thank you very much" Al not little hand grasped mine for a Carefully she got out II lid not follow her. for was para. wed with amazsmenf: on a corner ,f the baby's coat had seen an worked coat or arms and 'oronet.
 lt must have been the heat. for delayed moment in following her. Then the cabman called me back erociously. since ! had not paid him. There was some confusion. for the nan was rude. When at last ! fol- owed her, had lost a minute. II. an down little street bordcrod with front gardens. Y was very lark. however. so stopped wildly n the middle of the roadway.