Jack and His Seven Foes — page 78: what you’re looking at

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then somebody came between us, and he was gone.” “Master Jack,” said old Ben, laying a hand upon his arm, and looking up wildly into his face, ‘“‘ take me to that street.” ‘Why should I do so, Ben P”’ “Mayhap I'll find my Bill there. It may be the place where the spirits walk.” ‘“No, Ben,” said Jack, sadly. “I should have seen my brother anywhere, for his image was here,” touching his torehead, ‘“‘and my conscience conjured him up. He came as a reproach to me, for flagging in my work.” Jacob Sturmby, who had been busy | placing some viands, which he took from a cupboard, on the table, now bade him eat. He sat down and partook of acrust of bread and some water. Then he arose again. “You are starving yourself,” said Sturmby. ‘Try a lttle wine or some- thing.” ‘““T have walked two days and nights about this great city,’ replied Jack, ‘“andtfeltno hunger. But have no fear. fam wellenough. [I shall eat by-and- by.” He was moying towards the door, and | Jacob Sturmby, in surprise, asked him | iI he were going out again. “Fora while,” he said; “I cannot sleep yet. Can I get in here late? ”’ “T will sit up for you.” “JT am going to replenish my purse,” said Jack; “since I have no time to labour, it must be filled by other means.” Old Ben was not heeding him now. One of his fits of vacancy had come upon him, and he was talking to his dead boy as if he sat in life and health beside him. But Jacob Sturmby noted the words | of Jack, and looked at him with pained | would judge the world in general. JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. the lad, and keep him from that. 69 “ Without labour,” he said, “ there is no way of making money here.”’ “There are a thousand ways,” replied Jack, “and I have found a friend who assists me. I put down a coin, and he covers it with a score. Sit up for me— I shall return.” “A friend here!’ muttered Jacob Sturmby ; ‘who can it be? Lord help | the lad if he’s taken to rough ways of making money.” “ And now, Bill,” said old Ben, rising, “having rested, well get on. You've lain a long time on the ground, surely, and there'll be little got to-day.” “Ben,” said Jacob Sturmby, taking him by the arm, and pushing him gently back into the seat, ‘‘ you are not to move yet ; your boy’s too tired.” “Tf that’s so, he shall not,” rephed the old man, looking at him doubtfully ; “but I don’t know you.” Ben resumed his seat, and Sturmby took his. In a little while the former was asleep ; but the latter kept his watchful eyes upon the street. : The hours went by, and he scarcely moved. The thoroughfare thinned and emptied ; midnight arrived, and yet no sion of Jack. “He can’t be long now,” said Sturmby, ureasily, and rising, went to the front door softly, so as not to disturb the house. He looked up and down the street, but no living being was to be seen, and a dread foreboding took possession of him. “Where is he?” he asked, ‘‘and who. is this friend in whom he trusts? Can his name be Robbery? Heaven NG ut. he’s desperate, and will not let little or big things stand between him and his vengeance.” But Jacob Sturmby judged Jack pone: e curiosity. | did not thoroughly understand our here. Cal — CORNIECLO@C) <SriGO