Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-10-28

ham, with a look Of disgust.
"Some people are too mean to live, "
returned Baxter savagely. "Come, shove
over that decanter, and let's pitch in.
Fingers, gents. cause there amt nothin
but silver knives and forks in this
house, unless I take 'em out Of the bag,
which amt doin. Here's luck"
Excellent claret, Wilson," said the
young burglar, holding his glass up to
the light
"Genuine Medoc, " returned Graham,
with the air Of a connoisseur. "That's
the worst Of this business. Not one gen.
tleman out of ten is judge of wine.
Now, the whisky
"The whisky's all right" interrupted
Baxter curtly. "All whisky's good;
some's better'n others, but it's all good
Blow claretp'
"No style about Jim," said Harry,
with smile that was half sneer.
"No, you bet there amt" said Bax-
ter stolidly. "You oughter call me Old
Business, cause that's what am. Pass
them pickles"
It was a most interesting sight. At
the head Of the table sat Graham, a
smooth faced, we'll fed man of 40, who
might have passed for prosperous
banker or man living on an annuity;
to his right reclined rather than sat
young Montgomery, spruce and slen-
der fellow. with soft blue eyes, trem-
ulous lips and light hair, neatly
brushed, while opposite Graham sat
Baxter, a coarse, shaggy, grimy man
of uncertain age, with small, shifty
eyes, heavy beard and general air Of
brutal strength. Had it not been for the
fact each man wore his hat and that the
bag Of stolen goods lay on one corner Of
the table it might have been taken for
a small stag party, Graham personating
the host to perfection.
The resemblance was lost, however, a
moment later. The door leading to the
back stairway, directly behind Jim Bax-
ter, opened and revealed spare man
with long blond whiskers, wearing
gold eyeglasses and flowered dressing
gown.
Graham was the first to see the in.
truder, and his exclamation of astonish-
ment caused Baxter to turn his head.
In an instant that worthy was on his
feet, with pistol in his hand. Graham
was quicker, however, and before his
companion could raise the weapon he
seized his arm and pushed him aside.
'No violence, Jim," he said sternly.
II warn't goin to shoot" growled
Jim. II was only goin to give him a
crack on the head"
II won't have it,, returned Graham
authoritatively. "Sit down"
Baxter put up his pistol and sat down.
Graham then turned to the spare gen.
tlewan, who had not moved from the
doorway during this episode.
"Mr. Braithwait, presumed"
"That is my name" was the reply.
Burglars, I presumer'
1.-THE presumption is correct. Will
you take seat?'
Mr.. Braithwait sat down opposite
young Montgomery, to whom he bowed
gravely. There was then moment Of
silence, broken by Graham, who had
resumed his place at the head Of the
table.
II am sorry" said he, "you have
made your appearance, as we can't very
we'll apologize for our intrusion. !"
"No, I suppose not" said Mr.. Braith-
wait, smiling. "Yet I am rather pleased
that I did come, since I always enjoy
an unusual experience.
"Glad you enjoy it," muttered Bax-
ter. But no one listened to him.
~ was aroused by the reflection OF
the gaslight in the upper hall, explain
ed Mr.. Braithwait, land I supposed
that the housekeeper had left it burn
ing. She has done so more than once. l
came down to extinguish it. I heard
voices in this room, and entered"
cat the risk Of your life," observed
Graham, with significant glance at
Baxter, who had resumed eating.
II did not think of that" said Mr..
Braithwait simply. "My life has been
threatened so often-you know I am a
railroad man-that I give little thought
to risk of an undertaking. Profession
ais, suppose?"
He looked at Montgomery, who nod
ded nonchalantly and lighted ciga-
rette.
Mr.. Braithwait coughed.
81 wish you wouldn't" he said dep
recatingly. APART from the looks, I
can't bear cigarette smoke. There's a
box of very fine Conchas on the side
board. Thank you," to Graham, 'if
you will join me. Thank you again.
Graham laughed with genuine enjoy
ment, yet without vulgarity.
II like you," he said frankly, sand
am sorry that, in spite of the line of
business He waved his cigar at the
bag.
"Of course, yes, of course, I know
that can't bo helped" said Mr.. Braith-
wait smoking away easily, land that's
another reasSp why I'm glad l came. I
suppose you have in that bag some
trinkets belonging to my wife and
daughters that have special value as
mementos. I hear that you gentlemen
are frequently forced to sell your plum
der at simply ruinous sacrifice, and it
occurred to me that if we could come to
some arrangement-you understand"
Perfectly" answered Graham. lit
can be done, and will open negotia-
tions at all early date, provided, of
course" he added severely, "that you
play fair.
"That is understood. As business
man accept the situation. My loss is
your gain.