Part 12 (2/2)

But the heart of Philippe was heavy. He had not seen Tom and Zelie! He was in a strange city; he was far from home, and it was growing late.

Philippe now walked slowly to the post office. Here he sent away two letters. One was to his father.

He told his father not to worry about him. He said that he could not return to Brussels because he was going to make his way and send them a great deal of money. He enclosed some bills in the envelope, and he felt proud.

The other letter was to the sister and contained the money in payment for the laces and also payment of the amount the sister had loaned him.

He still had money in his pocket. He bought food. But Trompke ate most of it. Somehow Philippe did not feel hungry. He was too excited.

Chapter XI

FOUND

The shadows were falling in Bruges. The high towers were reflected in the ca.n.a.ls. The city was slowly being covered by night.

A terrible, lonesome feeling came over Philippe as he watched the darkness stealing on. How could he stay all night in the ghostly darkness of this old city? His teeth began to chatter.

A boy about his own age came up to him.

”Where are you going?” asked the boy.

”I don't know,” answered Philippe truthfully.

”You don't know?” the boy laughed. ”Then let me take you somewhere. Have you some money?”

[Ill.u.s.tration: VIEW OF A Ca.n.a.l FROM THE ROSARY DOCK, BRUGES]

Philippe showed the stranger his money.

”We can go to the cinema,” smiled the boy eagerly.

So Philippe was taken to a theater by his new companion. Philippe was tired and discouraged and sank down in his seat with a sigh. He wanted to go home.

He was afraid of the dark city and the strange shadows. He knew he had done wrong. Now he was ready to give up.

But as he watched the flickering shadow people on the screen, he thought of that other film which he had seen with his father. He remembered the brave Belgian soldiers and the heroic King Albert. Then he had wanted to be a hero, too. But now he was acting like a coward.

This film story was a romance with knights on fiery steeds. What adventure those brave knights had! They did not give up and go home.

They came home in glory and each married a princess!

Philippe sat up straight. He saw himself as one of those knights. Then he turned suddenly to the boy next to him.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HE SAW HIMSELF AS A KNIGHT]

”Did you see a man and a girl with an organ today at the fair?” he asked.

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