13 Back Among the Thieves

CHAPTER 13 Back Among the Thieves K ing Foo Foo was traveling with the group of thieves again. Mr. Canty picked on Edward whenever the "Boss" turned his back. Hugo stepped on his toes. He bumped into Edward and pretended it was an accident. He even tried to trip Edward. Edward refused to take any of Hugo's taunts. He would not sink to Hugo's level. He also refused to participate in any of the

group's illegal activities. Edward would not steal with them. He would not beg in the streets. He walked with them and waited for a chance to escape. Hugo was working on a plan of his own. He realized that the only way to get rid of Edward was to have him arrested. If Edward escaped, then Mr. Canty would search for him. But if he was in jail, they could go on without him. Hugo was tired of this boy taking up everyone's attention. He had come to think of Mr. Canty as his own father and did not want the competition. Hugo offered to take Edward into the next village to look for money. He looked for the right target very carefully. He knew he had only one chance. Then he spotted a woman carrying a basket of food. Hugo moved very quickly. He grabbed the basket from the woman and ran off. Edward could not believe his luck. He was

alone! He was just about to turn and run the other way when Hugo appeared again. He thrust the basket into Edward's arms. Before Edward had a chance to realize what had happened, Hugo shouted, "Stop! Thief!" Then he ran around a corner so he could watch the action from afar. Edward dropped the basket. The woman rushed up to him and grabbed her food. Several people came with her. They took ahold of Edward. "Let me go!" Edward called. "I have done nothing wrong." The crowd grew, and more people closed in around Edward. The boy was close to giving up when he heard a familiar voice. "Step away from the boy!" Edward watched as a long sword parted the crowd. Everyone stepped aside and Miles walked toward the future king. "Sir Miles," Edward said. "I've been

wondering when you would arrive." Miles leaned in to whisper in Edward's ear. "We must be careful, Sir. There are still many more of them than us." He smiled. He had forgotten that he was now Sir Miles. The boy's memory was still very strong, despite his madness. Miles was impressed. Just then a policeman arrived. Before the policeman had a chance to speak, Miles said, "Thank goodness you've arrived. Please lead the way, and we'll follow you." Miles put his hand on Edward's shoulder and told him to stay quiet. The future king obeyed. As they followed the policeman, Miles and Edward spoke quietly to each other. "Laws are made by the king, correct?" Miles asked. Edward nodded. "How can we respect and resist them at the same time? We must have faith that these laws will protect the innocent just as they punish the guilty." Edward hoped that Miles was right. He

had seen an awful lot over the past few days that caused him to wonder. Edward went before the judge, and the woman with the basket entered the court. The judge asked the woman to reveal the contents of the basket. It was a plump pig ready for cooking. "What do you guess this pig is worth?" the judge asked. "Three shillings and eight pence, sir," she replied.

The judge looked around his crowded courtroom. He asked the guards to remove everyone but Miles, Edward, and the woman. "Madam," the judge said. "Please consider this matter fully. This boy was quite likely hungry and tired when he stole your basket. Having no food will make us do strange things. Now Madam, do you realize that anyone who steals something worth more than two shillings and four pence will be sent to a workhouse?" Edward gasped. He had no idea such a thing was possible. He knew this was a serious matter, but was it possible that he could go to a workhouse? "Oh heavens, no!" the woman cried. "What have I done? This boy cannot go to a workhouse because of me. What should I do?" "My advice is to lower the value of the pig," the judge said calmly.