"And you know it, Rejoice, my
dear, as well as I do. Any other news in Joppa, Mr. De Arthenay? I
haven't heard from over there for a long time."
"Why, they've been having some robberies in Joppa," the old man
said,--"regular burglaries. There's been a great excitement about it.
Several houses have been entered and robbed, some of money, others of
what little silver there was, though I don't suppose there is enough
silver in all New Joppa to support a good, healthy burglar for more
than a few days. The funny part of it is that though I have no house,
I came very near being robbed myself."
"You, Rosin?"
"You, Mr. De Arthenay? Do tell us!"
Melody passed her hand rapidly over the old man's face, and then
settled back with her former air of content, knowing that all was
well.
"You shall hear my story," the old man said, drawing himself up, and
giving his curl a toss. "It was the night I came away from Joppa. I
had been taking tea with William Bradwell's folks, and stayed rather
late in the evening, playing for the young folks, singing old songs,
and one thing and another. It was ten o'clock when I said good-night
and stepped out of the house and along the road.
Pages:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52