From Across the Ancient Waters Read Online Free PDF

in time reemerge to reverse the present decline of character, he alone would be capable of determining.
    Clinging to the stone building at his left, he shot into a narrow close leading away from the wide thoroughfare. He could not help smiling to himself at how absurdly easy crime really was.
    Suddenly his eyes shot open, and the smile disappeared from his lips. Thirty yards in front of him stood a policeman!
    His running feet clattered to an echoing halt on the cobblestones. The evening fell momentarily silent. The boy stood as one paralyzed. His eyes drifted down to the large mug glistening in his hand.
    With cocky nonchalance, he turned and began to saunter in the opposite direction. He had only taken a few steps, however, when he heard the policeman’s booted feet behind him. They were coming with steadily increasing tempo in his direction.
    He wasn’t about to wait to see how this turned out!
    In one quick motion, he tossed the mug clanking onto the stones of the alley, then turned and sprinted back for Gallowgate. He could outrun any policeman in Glasgow. He had no intention of being caught with the evidence.
    “Stop … Hey, you!” shouted a voice behind him. “Stop, I say!”
    Calling out again and with whistle blaring, the policeman broke into a run. But though he took up the chase with vigor, the lanky legs of youth quickly widened the distance between themselves and the middle-aged bluecoat.
    A quick glance by the young rogue over his shoulder confirmed that he was out of danger. He continued at full speed, however, as the whistles and shouts gradually faded behind him. Around a corner he flew, along a long block, across the deserted street, left again, and—
    Suddenly a great crash was followed by exclamations of astonishment and cries of pain. The teen went sprawling over the rough stones of the street and landed in a heap against a brick wall. Angry curses burst from his lips as he began to pick himself up.
    Before he could completely recover, a great hand seized the scruff of his neck and hauled him back to his feet. “Ay, ‘tis you, is it, young Drummond?” said an unmistakable voice attached to the bulky frame he had collided with. “I thought as much. Ye’d be advised tae watch oot a mite better whaur ye’d bound.”
    “Yeah, yeah,” the youth replied testily. “I might say the same for you, coming round the blind corner without letting a bloke know you’re there. Just let me go, will you!”
    “I want tae ken what ye’re aboot runnin’ through the streets this time o’ the evenin’.”
    “I’m about nothing that’s any of your business!” shot back the boy. He struggled in earnest to free himself, but to little avail. His captor was three times his size. The lad threw a nervous glance over his shoulder.
    As he feared, soon another set of feet came running heavily toward them. “Stop him, Forbes!” shouted the exhausted pursuer. He lumbered to the scene, breathing heavily. “Keep a tight grip on him or he’ll bolt.”
    “He’s aye gaein’ nowhere, officer,” replied the policeman called Forbes. “I’ve a good grip o’ him. Noo, young Drummond,” he said, turning again to the boy, “why dinna ye tell me what ye’ve been aboot like I asked ye?”

S EVEN
    The Village
    T he village of Llanfryniog of North Wales spread out in random disorder away from the main street running through its center.
    Several shops—the post, a baker, a dry goods store, a butcher, and a green grocer—were supplemented by a dozen or more homes that boasted an assorted miscellany of goods in their windows. Most of their offerings—from sweeties to tobacco to eggs, milk, potatoes, turnips, apples, candles, jams, and an infinite variety of homegrown and homemade products—could be purchased for a penny or two, but rarely more than a handful of shillings. Even this latter, however, would have been a considerable sum for most who passed by and gazed at the simply offered wares. There were also a