him a very long journey; and even when he had made his
plan, he found it no little task to take his part in the conversation.
As the train ran into London, he told her that Mr. Biggleswade was in
the train, and they must bolt for the cab. At once she was all panic
and tears, and he had much ado to brace her for effort before the train
slowed down at the terminus. Before it had stopped he was out of the
carriage, helping her down. They ran towards the barrier; but the
platform was long, and Elizabeth was slow. While they were yet thirty
yards from it, Mr. Biggleswade was on them. With a savage blow he sent
Tinker flying, caught up the screaming Elizabeth, and dashed on, crying
loudly, "The nearest hospital! The nearest hospital! My little girl!
My little girl!"

Everyone made way for him; but Tinker picked himself up, bolted after
him, hissing on Blazer, took a flying leap on to his back, and locked
his arms round his neck in a strangling grip, as the prompt and nimble
Blazer buried his teeth in his calf. Mr. Biggleswade dropped Elizabeth
and tore viciously at Tinker's hands. The passengers and porters came
crowding round, and the moment the throng was thick enough, Tinker
dropped to his feet and gripped Elizabeth by the arm, shouting,
"Police! Police!"

Mr. Biggleswade struggled to choke Blazer off his leg. A police
inspector pushed through the crowd, and cried, "What's all this?"

"The young rascal has enticed away my little girl, and brought her up
to London!" cried Mr. Biggleswade, who had divested himself of Blazer,
and was holding him off by the collar; and with the other hand he
grabbed at Elizabeth.

"It's a lie!" cried Tinker, as the inspector grasped his shoulder.
"This is Elizabeth Kernaby! He stole her!" And on the words he jerked
off her hat and wig.

At the sight of the fuzzy little bare poll light slowly dawned on the
inspector; but even more quickly Mr. Biggleswade had seen that the game
was up, flung Blazer away from him, and bolted through the barrier.
The Inspector rushed after him; but Blazer, who apparently had not had
enough of Mr. Biggleswade's calf, outstripped him, and pinned the
fugitive on the very step of a hansom.

When Tinker and Elizabeth, escorted by an excited and applauding crowd,
came out of the station they found Mr. Biggleswade, the inspector, two
constables, and Blazer in a tangled, battling group. Tinker saw his
chance of escaping any further aid from the polic