The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-24

.'-OOAN A<oAC al as GU tue IuufIlnlV 10
his order on the following afternoon.
Friday
Fortunately the weather was very
gloomy at the time and King Fc; was
over all things.
we engaged spring cart to convey
the coffin containing me to Moore
Lane, and at O'Clock on Friday after
noon we set out, my chums and |. In
speaking of myself | should perhaps
use the word 1T" for never did any
1--we man present so dead an appear
ance as | on that occasion. If it had
not been for fear of bursting some of
the butter cloths should have broken
out into hearty laughter. for the whole
affair seemed to me one of the finest
comedies on record.
AT length the coffin was duly depos-
tied In the room, and then l heard
PontlteX tell the car men to withdraw
the lid. This they did, and then could
feel that the jeweler was gazing at
me 1Xedly, and knew that if detection
were to come. it would come now.
Thank heaven. it did not come. On the
contrary the worthy dealer in precious
stones seemed greatly impressed with
his purchase and insisted on delivering
q short homily to the car men on the
subject
See here. my good men, he said in
an unctuous. satisfied voice; "see here.
ana admire the work which the ancient
Egyptians knew SO well how to per-
form. Think of the ages which have
rolled by since Ptolemy II lived and
ruled. Think of the millions who have
since then turned into dust. and vet
here am | able to look tonight on the
intact body of that very king, All. a
marvellous science the science of en-
banning, Marvellous indeed"
The hours went by with sowness
that tortured me, My face was on fire
with perspiration. and though | could
breathe through some small holes we
had made in the butter cloths, my
whole position was so exceedingly
painful that | do not think would go
through such an ordeal again even for
twice the temptation.
l heard the church clock in Cheap
side strike the hours, and the interval
between each hour seemed like a week.
AL length midnight struck, and then
knew that my awful rest was near its
end. could hear the servants locking
up for the night
could hear Pontifex. bidding them
good night as he passed up stairs to
bed. and half an hour later the house
was as silent as the tomb.
The time has come" thought. for
Ptolemy to come to life Here goes,"
had provided myself with ring to
which a small blade was attached, and
working away with the same | was
able after much toll to free my arms.
and afterward, of course the work was
comparatively easy, but for ten min
utes or so | could not rise. my limbs
being too cramped to allow of my do
ing So
At the end of that time | pulled my
self together, and making mighty
effort leaped out. Selling my Ian
tern 1t it, and then put on the over
coat and other clothing which | had
concealed in the deep receptacle.
Having put on my India rubber
shoes and collected my professional in
struments, l went down stairs silently.
and soon found my way into the shop
toward the treasures of which we had
so long turned our eyes and which
treasures now lay within my reach.
made deliberate selection, filling my
pockets with the precious stones in
generous profusion.
A low whistle outside told me that
my faithful pal, Herring, was watching
To see that my coast was clear for my
| exit. therefore took my way out
into the passage, and using my best
efforts To make no noise, slid back
the great bolts and turned the key Of
| the massive house door.
Everything went perfectly The lane
was deserted and> walked rapidly in
the direction of the Mansion House.
| where | was Joined by Herring, who
burst into Il loud peal Of laughter when
| he saw me.
'Ow are yer, Mr. Tollermy?" he
| said. Give MS yer and. Blow if yer
! amt the coolest bloke wot ever set
| eyes on.
Then he said no more and wewalked
| On silently till we reached our den
in St. Luie's. Next morning train
| from Charing Cross conveyed us to
Folkstone. whence we journeyed TO
l-aris, and from there to Brussels.
where the swag was duly sold and
| split up into shares
My companions, Herring and Tovey,
decided that as | had had the lions
share of the work | should also have
| the same share OF the proceeds. and
the result was nat I was richer by the
| nights transactions 10 the tune of
something worry much like cS.O00.-
London Tit-Iita.
Interostfng Information.