The Democratic advocate., 1885-04-11
Select STORY.
A sPLUTTER OF INK.

paper inside the windows OF the mousse 10
keep the sun off the carpet, and intimate
to their friends that they were at the
country, when 'sThin Edge" or Edgey,
passed along the street. 1t was fashion
able place over in the New Town, every
house in which was main-door one, and,
considering the pickings such places gen
erally afford to the diligent house-breaker,
ever intent on catching the early worm, it
is not surprising that Thin Edge paused to
view the operation. Edgey was lanky and
lean as skeleton, besides which he was
a great coward but, as he generally worked
with a dumpy, bull-necked companion,
whose name | shall mercifully change to
Ben Touser, and who did not shrink from
many things when his blood was up,
Edgey's failings did not stand out SO prom
inently.
Ben [ had known since we were boys
attending the Canongate Burgh school,
playing 9'shoo dick" and "bools" together,
and occasionally taking trot down to
Portobello on our bare feet to cool ourselves
by half dozen baths in the sea. But he
had developed to thief, and I to thief
hunter. He was a full-blown criminal
when I became detective, but his face
was one of those which do not alter much,
and, though we passed each other as stran-
gers, l knew him perfectly, and he me. If
there was any shame in him at all, [ belive
it came to the surface when he contrasted
his debased condition with the pos ttion and
respect I had gained.
Ben was mere-animal, however, low,
vulgar brute of the type which as often as
not leaves the world by means of the gal
lows He did not attempt to plan work
he left that to Edgey-and here was rare
chance to the skinny scoundrel who had
brains but no courage.
A ticket newly pasted on one of the
windows intimated that all letters and par
cells were to be left at the groeer's at the
other end of the town, thus emphasizing
the intimation which the mute brown pa
per on the other windows was making.
1t was as plain as if it had said, "House
entirely deserted abundance of valuables
within-burglars walk in ard take what
you please"
Edgey noted the house, and moved off
so as not to attract undue attention; and
returning at leisure found cab at the door,
and the family in the act of leaving. 1t
was family of grown-up daughters. There
were six or seven of them all apparently of
an age, and so like each other that lover
Tilted by one would have had no difficulty
in reconciling himself to another There
was shabby little father, who was bust
ling about and helping with the luggage
like light porter, and portly mamma
who would have weighed down four of
him easily, and Edgey began to curiously
speculate as to whether they meant to cram
all that load into one poor cab. After
moment or two they attempted the mon
strous cruelty and were only dissuaded
when the cabman threatened to drive away
rather than risk his cab, his license and his
horse. There were nearly half-a-dozen
boxes or baskets, and even when they were
piled on the pavement the shabby father
said something about "the heavy one, }"
and, looking round, asked Edgey if he
would mind giving the coachman lift out
with box. Edgey didn't mind-he was
of particular obliging disposition, and
followed the gentleman at once. The SER
want, who had now finished fastening up
the brown paper, was dispatched for another
cab, and then Edgey, the cabman and Mr..
Woodford entered bedroom at the back
and were in the act Of lifting the trunk by
the handles, when the lock suddenly gave
way and number of dresses bounced up.
''Dont say anything to them or they'll
take an hour to pack them in again, said
Mr.. Woodford, alluding to his wife and
who were chattering and laugh
ing outside, and, at the same time, cram
ming them ruthlessly down, and making
Edgey sit on the lid "I'll see if can get
a rope.
He left the room for the kitchen, and
moment after the cabman said
Il think have bit of rope in the cab.
I'll bring it.
Thus Edgey for the merest second of
time was left alone in the room. He gave
a swift glance round, gently rose from the
box and glided to the window and drew
back the sash-fastener; then hearing the
footsteps of Mr.. Woodford, he
got back to the trunk, squeezed down the
lid, and resumed his perch as solemnly as
a monkey after emptying sugarbowl.
The box was tied up with rope and car
ried out to the cabs, and then Edgey pro-
fessed the deepest gratitude when rewarded
with sixpence for his trouble, after he
had assisted in placing the luggage on the
the cabs. During this operation he had
taken care to test the weight of every box
and basket, and with sigh of relief decided
that none of them contained the family
plate and valuables.
"How lucky for me that them brutes
was abiting Of me so bad in bed that | had
to get up earlier than usual and take a
walk p was Edgey's reflection as the cabs
drove off.
"Them brutes" meant the "B flats" with