The Argosy — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

A Tale of the Temple. 73 cellar. Passing the open window on the landing, I became painfully aware of the rigour of the climate, and congratulated myself on having lit my fire before commencing dressing operations, as it would make the room comfortably warm for breakfast. I was putting coals into the scuttle rapidly when I heard a tre- mendous bang, which not only caused me to drop a heavy lump of <oal on my slippered toes, but made me terribly anxious. Looking round, coal-scuttle in hand, I saw that my worst fears were realised. The wind had closed my ‘‘ oak”—the thick, iron-lined, outer door of my chambers, which fastened with a spring lock. And the key ‘was inside ! Here was a nice position for a sentimental lover within measurable distance of the hour which might make or mar his life: outside his chambers on a bitter Christmas morn, with no protection against the cold blast except a dressing-gown and a thin pair of bed-room slippers ; and not another soul in the neighbourhood ! The more I contemplated my predicament the more forlorn seemed my fate, and the more frozen I became. Something must be done. But what? My laundress had another key, but how was I to get at her? I couldn’t well go in search of her myself, and as my chambers were in the most secluded part of the Inn, it was hopeless ito expect that anyone would come within hailing distance of them on Christmas Day. I might shout myself hoarse before anyone would hear me. And I was rapidly freezing. What was to be done? ‘The only expedient that seemed at all feasible was to go, just as I was (for there is not a curtain or even a window-blind to be found on a Temple staircase), out into Middle Temple Lane and up to the Porter’s Lodge under the archway which leads into the ‘Strand. It was a long distance, but I could run it in a minute -and a half. I started, and, congratulating myself that the Inns of Court are deserted on Christmas Day, fled speedily along. Half the distance had been safely accomplished, and there was not a soul to behold, even at a distance, the extraordinary object which fled along that dull, sober, respectable roadway, and I was begin- ming to appreciate and enjoy the joke, when, coming to a narrow opening which leads to another part of the Temple, I found myself almost in the arms of three ladies who were on the point of emerging from it! I cast a shoe with fright, and realised in a moment what was happening. Morning service in the Temple church was just over, and along that passage and up Middle Temple Lane was a favourite means of €xit. But I sped on in my wild career, not. daring to turn my head, for I knew I was being followed by a whole bevy of furred and flounced dames and damsels. What would I not have given at that moment VOL. XLIX. i F CoOnniclooolkKks (S©) im