In Strange Company

ry one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights. The booming of a few guns

d been a little shaken; and now for the first time he began to experience twinges of real alarm for his own immediate safety. Supposing he should be arrested by the Congressionalist leaders for his treachery to them, where would his escape be then? In th

the thoughts and anxieties of Gobiernistas and Oppositores alike were centred on the battle then proceeding. It was as though t

ning,-the Opposition were advancing on Valparaiso. The noise grew louder every minute, and with its approach the turbulent element of the town began to make its presence felt in the streets. The peculiar ping of rifle-

ers packed up their traps and quitted the town with as little ostentation as possible; either scurrying in

half-past had ceased altogether. A victory had been w

unced in loud voices the absolute defeat of the Government forces, exaggerating the details with every repetition of the story. After a short interval they were followed by the vanquished and flying troops themselves, who corroborated what the others had so authoritatively pr

jangled from every steeple, continual vivas rent the air, and crackers by hundreds were exploded in the streets. Every one wore the red ribbon of the Opposition, and every face (for active

oreign war-ships, who now in their turn handed it over to the Congressionalist leaders. The place had thus practically

ops he saw the total destruction of his political hopes, and now his active mind was busily engaged working o

k moustache was twirled and twisted into quite a new and extraordinary shape; while his well-cut English clothes were discarded for a more Chilian garb, including a poncho and a broad-leafed sombrero. When thus equ

asylum elsewhere. But before leaving the house many things had to be thought of. Glancing round the room with its host of familiar knick-knacks, he set himself to destroy what he did not desire should fall into other hands, conc

g himself from it down into the patio. For a moment he stopped to listen, then hearing

t an intense desire to see all that was to be seen, and to participate, himself, in the general excitement. Of the latter there was no lack; the town was full of disband

quaintances, unmolested and unrecognized. The knowledge of this security gave him fresh courage, and he followed the co

harbour, but before he had proceeded fifty yards a sound he knew only too well gre

stonishment the runner was none other than John Macklin the Albino, chairman of the Society, his face livid with terror, and his breath coming from him in great spasmodic jerks. His clothes were in rag

g at Veneda's feet. "In the merciful

ned to do it. Then, for some reason which he was never afterwards able to explain (it must be understood that the dwarfs death would in a great measure have rescued him from h

as drawing closer; any second might bring them into view

or you. Pick up yo

his long arms about with windmill-like gesticulations. As they started the mob burst into view, and a second later a shot whisked in unpleasant proximity to Veneda's head. There is

nd the next corner,

, was quite unequal to a fresh demand. He began to lag behind, and Veneda saw that if he reached the shel

. Stopping, he turned, and as his companion approached him, stooped and took him in his arms, thro

ade for a row of deserted houses across the way. Into the patio of the third

rously attacking a door which opened on to the courtyard; "ou

d of the mob come howling round the corner. Veneda knew that when they could not see their game before them, it would be only a question of seconds before t

on on the part of an English builder. Not until they had ascended to the garrets did they pause to listen. An angry murmur came up to them

down. How we're going to give them t

rash came from t

ntinued calmly. "We must be mo

answer was to sp

were within the house itself. They were caught like rats in a trap! Apart from any other consideration, it would, in all probability, be a most unpleasant death

some lower roofs, nothing worthy of his consideration presented itself. The door was clearly impracticable, unless they desired to meet their pursuers on the stairs, and as to the window, ther

ce with his hands. But they could not meet their death without a struggle, so, come what might, they mus

find a place to get down. Don't stand whimpering there, but pay attention to what I say. I'll swing myself up f

a tumble into the courtyard, rather than to allow himself to fall into

hold of that would permit of a grip. It was an athletic test that would have tried the nerve and endurance of the most accomplished gymnast. Bit by bit, with infinite pain, he drew himself up, till his shoulders were above the guttering. The muscles of his arms a

's voice reach

w, and give me your hands. Be qui

g out into mid air. If the strain on Veneda's muscles had been great when he pulled himself up on to the roof, how much greater was it now that he had not only to retain his own position, but to lift this other man as well! The Albino looked up into his face and saw

spoke. Then the Albino, leaning

I reckon I won't forget what

What devil's game were you up

'Gobiernista'; next moment they started after me like blo

was listening to the sounds in the street, and wondering, now that

d from the sudden silence. Then a cry of "Fire!" went up, and next moment smoke burst from either e

d shrieked with delight. Fortunately the house, on the rearmost roof of which Veneda and the Albino lay, was the

ey would be obliged to move again. The heat was over-powering; but the conflagration was not speed

re every moment growing hotter and hotter, and in a few minutes it would be im

their left, as yet a good distance from the flames. He moved towards it, thinking he had done quite e

endeavoured to find a foothold on it also. Veneda called upon him to go back, but he refu

er's arms; then Veneda's right hand seized upon the other's throat, and began to press his head further and further back. At last, to save himself from a broken neck, the Albino let go his hold, and fell with a yell from the roof into the smoke below. But though he had not succeeded in his attempt to remain upon the wall, he did not allow his companion to occupy it either,

uldering débris, it was quite dark. The crowd had dispersed, and though he looked carefully about him, nothing was to be seen of the Albino. Whether he had falle

ulous escape, and he argued that it was a good omen for what lay before him. Clambering over the side of the