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that led to a small room where a chime of bells hung. He crept through
the opening and, finding a ladder that connected the belfry with a
platform below, began to descend.
There were three ladders, and then a winding flight of narrow, rickety
stairs to be passed before Rob finally reached a small room in the body of
the church. This room proved to have two doors, one connecting with
the auditorium and the other letting into a side street. Both were locked,
but Rob pointed the electric tube at the outside door and broke the lock
in an instant. Then he walked into the street as composedly as if he had
lived all his life in London.
There were plenty of sights to see, you may be sure, and Rob walked
around until he was so tired that he was glad to rest upon one of the
benches in a beautiful park. Here, half hidden by the trees, he amused
himself by looking at the Record of Events.
"
London's a great town, and no mistake," he said to himself; "but let's see
what the British are doing in South Africa to-day."
He turned the cylinder to "South Africa," and, opening the lid, at once
became interested. An English column, commanded by a brave but
stubborn officer, was surrounded by the Boer forces and fighting
desperately to avoid capture or annihilation.
"
This would be interesting to King Edward," thought the boy. "Guess I'll
hunt him up and tell him about it."
A few steps away stood a policeman. Rob approached him and asked:
"
Where's the king to-day?"
The officer looked at him with mingled surprise and suspicion.
"
"
'Is Majesty is sojournin' at Marlb'ro 'Ouse, just now," was the reply.
Per'aps you wants to make 'im a wissit," he continued, with lofty
sarcasm.
"
That's it, exactly," said Rob. "I'm an American, and thought while I was
in London I'd drop in on His Royal Highness and say 'hello' to him."
The officer chuckled, as if much amused.
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