The Argosy — page 97: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

82 The Story of Charles Strange. up. I’ve put your supper ready in case they keep me waiting, but I daresay I shall not be long.’” To attempt to hurry Leah through her stories when once she had entered upon them, was simply waste of words; so I listened with all the patience I had at command. ‘The boy had been carried into a house down Lambeth way, and the doctor said he must not be moved; but the damage was not as bad, sir, as was at first thought, and I cheered Nancy up a bit by saying he would get all right and well. I think he will. Leaving her with the lad, I was coming back alone, when I missed my way. The streets are puzzling just there, and I am not familiar with them. I thought I’d ask at a book-stall, and went towards it. A sailor was standing outside, fingering the books and talking to somebody inside that I couldn’t see. Mr. Charles, I had got within a yard of him, when I saw who it was—and the fright turned me sick and faint.” * You mean the sailor P” “Yes, sir, the sailor. It was Captain Heriot, disguised. Oh, sir, what is to be done? The boy that I have often nursed upon my knee—what will become of him if he should be recognised ? ” The very thought almost turned me sick and faint also, as Leah expressed it. How could Tom be so foolhardy? An escaped convict, openly walking about the streets of London ! ** Did he see you, Leah?” _ No, sir; I stole away quickly ; and the next turning brought me into the right road again.” * How did he look P” ‘*T saw no change in him, sir. He wore a round glazed hat, and rough blue clothes, with a large sailor collar, open at the throat. His face was not hidden at all. It used to be clean-shaved, you know, except the whiskers ; but now the whiskers are gone, and he wears a beard. That’s all the difference I could see in him.” Could this possibly be Tom? I scarcely thought so; scarcely thought that even he would be as reckless of consequences. * Ah, Mr. Charles, do you suppose I could be mistaken in him ?” cried Leah, in answer to my doubt. ‘“ Indeed, sir, it was Captain Heriot. He and the man inside—the master of the shop, I suppose —seemed talking as if they knew one another, so Mr. Tom may have been there before. Perhaps he is hiding in the neighbour- hood.” “ Hiding!” I repeated, in pain. “Well, sir ——” ‘Leah ! have you gone up to bed?” The words came floating up the staircase in Watts’s deep voice. Leah hurried to the door. ‘‘T came up to bring the master’s candle,” she called out, as she went down. ‘If you hadn’t gone to sleep, you might have heard him ring for it.” CORNIELIOOLKS (E©) m