Little Philippe of Belgium Part 17

Philippe answered, "I do not know, sir."

"Tricks!" roared Tom.

Then he took a stick.

Meanwhile a big touring car was driving along the road toward the cave.

It was the car belonging to the two gentlemen who had taken Philippe to Antwerp.

When Papa Pomme had received the letter from Philippe he had immediately shown it to the gentlemen. They had been terribly worried about the boy and had tried in every way to help the poor parents.

When the two gentlemen read of Philippe's plan to capture Tom at the cave, they immediately told the police. Soon the big touring car with the two gentlemen and two policemen was on its way to the cave.

"This is the place," cried one of the officers.

The car stopped. The four men jumped out. With their guns drawn, they entered the cave.

They heard Tom laughing and saying, "Now, after I have beaten you, perhaps you will not try any more tricks. We shall leave for other lands, where you cannot escape so easily. We shall go to France and England and then----"

Suddenly Tom stopped speaking. His jaw dropped open. The stick fell from his hands. He saw a sight that made him turn pale. For two gentlemen and two policemen stood in the door of the cave. Each policeman was pointing a pistol at Tom!

Then the Englishman and the American walked over to them.

"The plans for your trip sound very interesting," said the Englishman in French to Tom. "But I am afraid we must spoil them. There is another trip which we have planned for you, instead."

The American looked very thoughtful.

"How in the world do you say 'prison' in French?" he asked.

"The same as in English," answered his friend.

They marched outside to the car. Tom was handcuffed. He walked between two policemen. Zelie walked with Philippe. They entered the big car and started off. Tom was scowling fiercely.

The American smiled and said, "In our country the children sing this song." He sang:

"Off to prison you must go, You must go, You must go, Off to prison you must go, My fair lady!"

Philippe echoed, "My fair leddy!"

Together they repeated the song, Zelie joining in. Philippe did not understand what he was singing. He did not care, for he was very happy.

The road ran along the beautiful River Meuse (=muz=). Philippe watched the patient fishermen sitting on the banks. "How peaceful and quiet it is to stay at home!" he thought.

Chapter XV

A NEW SONG

The two gentlemen have gone back to their respective countries.

Now once again Philippe and Rose sit in the market place of Brussels.

Once again the little boy sells his mother's vegetables, while the pretty baby sings to the pa.s.sers-by.

There is also another child. That other is Zelie, who now lives with them. There is no more sadness in her eyes now.

But Philippe has changed. He has at last had the adventures about which he has read and dreamed so much. And he is glad that they are over.

The Belgian people say that there is no place like home, and Philippe now agrees with them.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "IN A NOOK WITH A BOOK"]

He has made up a new song. He has used the old Belgian saying, "East, west, home's best," for that song. Listen! Philippe and Rose and Zelie are singing it now:

"Winds blow, Rivers flow, Time flies and days go.

Storms sweep, Shadows creep, Stars shoot and fires leap.

Things sprout All about, Folks dash in and out.

Roads wind, Leave behind Us three, peace to find.

Philippe will Sit still; Never more seek a thrill.

Zelie knows, So does Rose, Philippe would rather doze In a nook With a book; Some day be a cook.

All may go To and fro, Here, there, high and low, But we rest In our nest, For east, west, home's best!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "SOME DAY BE A COOK"]