gate. There he would stand till the line was well massed, and then, unlocking, would let it crawl out into the yard, beneath the shadow of the wall. 9009 watched him as he went along the line with forced briskness, upon legs dragging a bit with the prison rheumatism.
But he never reached the door. Passing along the line, he stopped suddenly with a swift look of surprise; he had noted Miller, the pickpocket, the burglar, and the confidence-man together there near the head, out of their places. The look of surprise flowed instantly into one of suspicion—then his blue eyes gleamed bravely as he turned, at bay. Red-striped Miller had rushed upon him.
The lank highwayman’s arms shot out, and his fingers, working, clutched for the guard’s throat; but the old man, stepping back toward the wall, struck as he came, full and fair upon the snarling mouth. For a flash the guard was clear; then the pickpocket glided out of the line.
The lithe little felon was half-doubled, his ferret face a-twitch with fierce excitement; he
