Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-11-04

The Frax in MineinR Lane

Il be possible the Bow Street runner:
had picked up my trail againi
And a new worry assailed me. DID
fhe cry come from In front or behind.
The fog that mantled London. and
which so far had stood my friend. now
served to mufiie the source OF this sud
den alarm. Which way should ! turn
Watch Curse the sleepy varlets =
The houses past which had been
feeling my way came to an end Al
alley branched of to the right and
from its entrance echoed the click OF
steel-music after my own heart. The
blood coursed faster in my veins. No,
this could be no trap such as had
awaited me ever since l had stepped
from the smuggler's small boat. Here
was sword-play, welcome change
from the plotting and intrigue which
had sickened me.
cast my cloak back over my shout
der and drew my sword from fits
sheath. as I ran over the uneven cob
bles which paved the alley. Dimly !
saw before me a confused huddle Of
figures that tussled and stamped about
in the ghostly mlrk of the fog.
Hold. friend" shouted.
"Make haste" painted a voice from
the middle OF the group
One man against a gang OF assassins f!
So that was the story. II savored more
OF Paris than OF the staid London Of
merchants and shopkeepers over which
the Hanoverian exercised his stolid
sway.
But had scant time for philosophy.
They were on me in an instant. one as
sailant In front, an assassin on either
hand. slashing with hangers and cut
lnses that knew no tricks of fence. but
only downright force. Their former
prey was left with one to handle.
sect to his rear, one of you FOOLS
snarled the ruffian in command whilst
he pounded at my guard.
But | backed into handy doorway
and barely managed to fend them off
And all the while the real object of
their attack continued his appeals for
the watch.
Twas this which spoiled the fray
for me. ! could not but wonder, as
lodged and parted and thrust. what
would happen II his cries should be
heard and the watch appear. Would
they know mel Or perchance should
] have the opportunity to slip quietly
away2
I stole a glance about me. Several
windows had gone up along the street
and nightcapped heads protruded to
add their clamor to that Of my friend
Surely Aye. they had done IT,
The ruffian on my left ieaped back
with ear aslant toward the alley en-
trance.
"ouick, buIlles." lie yelled. 'Tis
the watchl"
with a celebrity thar was almost un-
canny they disengaged their blades
and melted into the fog. Their foot
falls dwindled around the corner as
detected the dumping footballs of the
approaching guardians of London's
peace.
This brought me to my senses.
sheathed my sword and ran across the |
roadway. gIancing to right and left for |
the best route Of escape. But reck
oned without the other participant in
our brawI. ------=
.Be at ease, my MASTER" he said In
a voice which had good thick Dorset
burr In it, liked him from that mo-
ment. | sounded so homeiike: / ee7ld /
fairly see the rolling fields, the water
meadows, the copses. all the scenes
that had meant so much to me In boy
hood. even the sprawling roofs and
stacks of Foxcroft house
itself. tbs only the watch you hear.
Hark to the jIngling Of their slaves"
II know that full well, my friend"
answered him, gOosefiesh rising on my
neck as the jingling slaves and elump-
ing feet drew nearer. "But happen
to have pressing reasons for avoiding
the watch"
My friend pursed his lips in low
whistle.
$50. sets the wind In that quarter
Yet you came fast enough to my help
against those cut-purses moment
back"
4 AdukuCUs nC WI NEAE al Jul
In the alleys mouth. Twas idle to
think OF running now.
ooh. am no highwayman." said
.sweIl, whatever you may be. you
aided Robert Juggins In his peril, and
twill be a sore pity If worshipful
alderman OF the city may not see you
through the scrutiny Of a band OF lazy
THAT is good hearing" answered
"WilI they have your description
Il think not. but II they ask me 70
recount for myself shall be at fault \
am but lately landed from France.
md have no passport"
He pursed bis lips once more IN the
lualnf form Of low whistle.
Il begin to see. There Is q foreign
mt to your wig that do not like he
However. we viii bra
en II out Here they come"
The watchmen rounded the corner 4
ato she alley. lanterns swinging high.
favna pofwed