Part 12 (1/2)
He leaned out of theand beckoned the guard
”What's the uard answered ”You see, sir, there are ten or fifteen thousand ot a little out of 'and”
”But what,” asked Tony's co the hat has that to do with the trains? Why----”
”You see, sir,” continued the guard with an apologetic air, ”they've got a bit out of 'and I don't know the rights of it--they do say they're underpaid, though the e Anyway, they're out----”
”But the _railway_, hed
”Some of them's a bit 'asty, sir, likewise uncontrollable It seeht and 'ave been ht of it, so to speak They've sent for the soldiers, but they 'aven't arrived yet And they've tore up so it, but it will be an hour or so before we can get on”
”D'you hear that?”
”Rather,” said Tony, getting up ”Let's go and have a look I've never seen a raging uard ”The town's not safe”
”They randeur He turned to his co with fire?”
The little man's eyes sparkled and he breathed quickly He hesitated a moment with natural caution Then----
”Yes,” he said briefly ”Dash it! I--I feel as if I were beginning to live!”
Tony laughed and opened the door The guard sighed
”Well, gentlemen,” he said, ”don't say I didn't warn you Anyhow, I'd advise you to leave your money behind and your watches, too”
”Thein his trousers pocket
”Here, guard, seven pounds threeand a watch If I perish, you ht anddress Then he turned to the otherthat matters,” was the confused reply ”Coht Tony ”But he hasn't tried to touch me yet What a day out!”
CHAPTER X
HOW TO DRESS ON NOTHING A YEAR
The two an to walk sharply toward the tohich was close at hand The first street they entered was deserted, but evidence of the strike lay open to the shalass was shattered; missiles and rubbish littered the roadway, shop-s had not a pane left whole, and here and there makeshi+ft screens of boards replaced or protected the s
It was a scene of ruin, complete and piteous The most curious feature was that not a soul was in the street: everything was still and lonely