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[Illustration: The Sign of the Black Lion]
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The Third Chapter.
_The coming of two Strangers. And of the old Inn at the hanging Sign
of the Black Lion. Also of the hurried Command given the Soldiers by
Tommy._
[Illustration: Capt. Noddle Poddle]
Helen was at the toymaker’s bright and early the next morning. She
brought a little basket in which were some nice chicken sandwiches and
two rosy red apples for herself and Tommy.
Helen told Tommy her mamma thought that on a trip to Toyville they
would need some lunch. “And,” she continued, “Mamma said we might
remain in Toyville all day if we wished, and Mr. Poodle is willing.”
Mr. Poodle’s eyes went twinkling again when he heard Helen talking
to Tommy. Then he told Helen her mamma was very thoughtful and kind
to prepare such a fine lunch, {22} and he said there was no telling
what might happen on a trip of this kind, though he expected to find
plenty of good things to eat in Toyville. “Everything is now ready,”
said he. “I have sent a Messenger ahead to tell the Toy people we are
coming, and I expect they will greet us with a royal welcome. The Mayor
and his councillors, or, at least, a company of the Toyville Guards
will probably meet us at the gates on the other side of the Hills of
Troubleland.”
While Tommy was busily engaged packing the lunch into a little express
wagon, Mr. Poodle left the work room to wait upon two customers who had
just entered the shop. He did not at all like their looks and began to
wonder what might be their errand, as they were certainly ruffians and
could hardly have come to buy toys.
His first thought was a desire to be rid of them, and with this in
mind, he made some apology about it being early and the shop not yet
open for business.
At first, the men seemed somewhat ill at ease, but before Mr. Poodle
could finish speaking, the smaller and coarser of the pair turned upon
him roughly. “We will stay right here until we are through with you,”
he said; “and don’t give us any more of your fine talk either. Do you
hear?”
Meanwhile his companion had glanced into the back room and saw Tommy.
“Leave this to me,” he whispered. “The boy is here and I have thought
of a plan.” Then he turned to the toymaker. “You are right, sir,” he
said, in a voice smooth and oily. “The day certainly is young. We beg
your pardon for having disturbed you so early. You see, we are about to
leave the city and would like {23} a few toys to take to the children
at home; say this, and this, and that,” and throwing, as he spoke, a
gold piece upon the counter. “Never mind the change. Perhaps you have
a boy who will deliver these. Pray send him soon, as we depart in an
hour. Send to the Inn at the sign of the Black Lion.” Then, without
waiting for a reply, they opened the door and were gone.
Mr. Poodle looked at the gold piece: “A big price to pay for a few
toys,” he thought. Then he looked at the toys. Captain Hinkle Pinkle,
Captain Noddle Poddle and Rolie Polie were the ones the man bought. Mr.
Poodle did not like to sell these, they were such friends of Tommy and
Helen. But now it was too late, he had the money and there was nothing
he could do except to put them in a box for Tommy to take to the Black
Lion Inn.
Tommy was glad to help Mr. Poodle by going the errand and said he would
hurry, so as not to delay the journey to Toyville. Then taking the box
of toys he trudged off up the street and soon came in sight of the big
Black Lion sign hanging over the door of an old brick and timbered
house.
“Why this is the street where the man chased me,” he thought, “and this
is the house where I first saw him. I will be glad when I get back
again to Mr. Poodle’s toy shop.” Just then a company of soldiers came
galloping around a corner further down the street. Tommy turned to
lift the latch, but before he could do this, the door swung open and a
hand grabbed him roughly and pulled him over the threshold, while the
door was quickly closed and barred. The big room in which he now found
himself, was lit only by one sputtering candle which winked and {24}
blinked upon the wall like the eye of some evil monster. By this dim
light he could make out four rough men.
Tommy was now thoroughly frightened. His heart was beating very loud.
He did not like to seem to be a coward, but he felt sure those rough
men meant to harm him. “I will drop the basket and run,” he thought.
Then he remembered about the door being locked.
[Illustration: Tommy.]
“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed one of the men. “So my little bird would spread
his wings and fly, would he? Well, we must clip those wings then.” As
he spoke, he clutched Tommy roughly by the shoulder.
Now whether the man pulled Tommy off his feet, or whether the little
fellow’s trembling knees would no {25} longer support him, I do not
know. But in a moment he was lying on the floor with his head against
the edge of the toy box.
His head felt very numb, and he was very sleepy, and he wondered why
the men were binding him with such a heavy cord. Then he wondered why
there were so many horses galloping out in the street, and why there
was such loud beating on the door. He thought he heard someone call to
him, but by some other name he had heard long ago. At last he went to
sleep.
CRASH!
What was that? Tommy opened wide his eyes. There were confused voices
in his ear; then he heard a whisper. “Be quiet, be brave; we will help
you. I am Rolie Polie. Captain Hinkle Pinkle and Captain Noddle Poddle
are with me. We will rescue you.”
“Can you fight? Can you save me? Why how can you save me?” asked Tommy.
“You are only toys?”
“Hush!” said Rolie Polie. “Don’t speak, or they will hear you. Get on
your feet and follow us.”
Tommy wasn’t long in obeying. Hinkle Pinkle and Noddle Poddle had
swords drawn and led the way. Out through the back rooms they went,
into the kitchen then on into the back yard. From the yard to a side
street and off to the toy shop, they hurried with all possible speed.
“Is everything ready for the journey?” Tommy called, the minute he saw
Mr. Poodle.
“Yes, everything is ready,” answered the toymaker.
“Then we must hurry,” said Tommy. “The ruffians are after us.” {26}
“All right,” said Mr. Poodle, “give the order and we will start.”
Tommy assisted Helen to mount to the back of her beautiful horse,
called Snow White. And, after mounting Coal Black, his own fine
charger, he gave the order:
[Illustration: “Forward, March!”]
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[Illustration]