Half A Chance

ts and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations. And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught. The snares he set before pos

e taken quick alarm at Steele's words, and effected a hasty

e such that he should most likely, ere this, have been able to attain his end, find what he sought. Soberly attired, he attracted no ve

than most people find it expedient to cherish. His glance had always seemed to read them through and through, with uncompromising realization of their infirmities, weaknesses of th

of Steele's solicitude and to this person, a weazened little "undesirable," the red-he

come back to 'is native 'ome without being spied on for what ought long ago to be dead

. "No, no, my man, I'm not seeking him for th

t h

d brought hi

see 'is mother 'e came back; the old woman drew 'im 'ere. You see 'e had written 'er from foreign

ea

here there weren't no bobbies, only instead, bits of flower gardens and bright bloomin' daffy-down-dillies. But, blime me, when Tom come and fo

fully, "and all she might have told about the

ir; at the time," qu

d. "If you can find Tom, give him

ot me off easy once and gave me

gesture. "We all need a helping ha

as he had come to att

erted were roads and row; landau, victoria and brougham, with their varied coats-of-arms, no longer rolled pompously past; only the occasional democratic cab, of nimble possibilities, speeding by with a fare lent pretext of life to the scene. True, the nomad appeared in ever increasing numbers, holding his right to the sward for a couch as an inalienable privilege; John Steele encountered him on

eeping with his mood wherein impatience mingled with other and fiercer emotions. Fate had been against him, the inevitable "what must be," which, in the end, crushes alike Faintheart or Strongheart. Of what avail to square his shoulders? the danger

eele? Just the man

the sound of a familiar voice and the appearance of a well-known stock

les. "'Pon honor, believe you would have cut

to say so, Sir Char

one. Never saw London more deserted. Dined at the club, nobody there. Supped at the hotel, dining-room empty. Strolled up Piccadilly, not a so

leasure," returned the other wit

ent on business! One usually goes for--which reminds me,

ossible at th

having been mewed up all these months in the musty metropolis! Besides, I made a wager with Jocelyn you wouldn't refuse a second opportunity to bask in Arcadia." He laughed. "'I really couldn't presume to as

ckly. Then, "I am sorry, it is impossible

party and all that. Lord Ronsdale and--" Her

nsdale i

r of fact he has asked my permission to--there!" Sir Charles stopped, then laug

his eyes. A flood of traffic at a corner held them; he appeared attentive

and and she--" Steele seemed to spe

wned the question bu

y, I shouldn't have mentioned the matter at all; quite premature, you understand.

e to the desire to make himself understood above the din of the street. "I'll go back wit

erve the light, the fire, the sudden play of

n you get tired of 'books

his arm. "When do you le

rrow--Suit you

to-day, the

quickly; John Steele's fac

at your niece calls the 'dusty byway