Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-23
The John Now AQINEGiptS.
By CHARLES W. HAYWOOD.
Icopyrieht. 1875. by the Author.I

Kepler Paine had swung his chair
around facing his guests, but his hand
still rested affectionately on copy of
The Maxima. which lay open upon his
desk There was an air of entire salts
faction on Paine's face The Maxima
was just out that day, and il contained
story which he had written year be-
fore, the first Of his stories which that
magazine had deigned to accept.
Jack Hall was lying upon the lounge
with pipe in his mouth, and Frarie
had just entered the room. A thin faced,
. dark complexioned man was Frarie, al
ways cool, self possessed and critical
With quiet but friendly greeting he
sat down and helped himself to olga
rette from Paine's box Frarie wrote
the book reviews for The Polygon.
81 looked over your story in the ad-
vance Sheets" he remarked, blowing
out cloud of smoke. 81 gave you three
lines. There are good points about that
story, Paine Your burglar is undenia-
bly, strong"
II should say sol'' exclaimed Jack
ball. Il call John Navy's Confession
the best thing out this yearl''
Hall was an artist not a literary
man.
''Yes, there are some things in it
which are really bright" Frarie admit
ted. They have character. Ten to one
you picked them up somewhere, Paine Z"
There is story about that, Frarie.
John Navy was an actual burglar whom
1 used TO know when lived in Bolton. Z"
II thought as much" said Frarie,
with satisfaction.
Hall sprang up and went TO the table
TO shake out his pipe and refill it.
"Kep, I've heard just enough about
that old burglar to make me curious !"
he said abruptly. How did you get &C.
Quainted with your interesting friend?"
Tell us about it if you don't mind, :"
added Frarie.
lyon may have heard of the Penni-
we'll bank robbery, which occurred about
seven years ago." Paine began. 1.-THE
Navy gang made that break Its leader.
old John Navy, was the most auda-
cious burglar Of his day. His skill and
boldness had drawn around him a pick
cd lot of clever criminals stanoh men,
all Of them, and adopts at their calling.
1--WE in Maine had beard little about
their operations until they visited the
town of Penniwell, a dozen miles from
Bolton, and broke into the vault Of its
bank. They had secured most Of the
money when an alarm was raised and
they were compelled to fly. All of them
escaped except Navy. Laden as be was
with the bulk of the spoils, he nearly
eluded his pursuers by running to Gov
or in the ravines of Colquatt mountain
There, before he was brought to bay, he
safely concealed his plumber, and to this
day it has never been found
"Of course a reward was offered, -
said Frarie.
Certainly. The Penniwell money Is
as seductive TO the people of that vicin-
ity as Captain Kidd's gold, and even
now they will not allow a stranger 70
go up on the mountain side alone II
was useless to question Navy. he was
true to his associates as long as he lived,
and unusual precautions were taken tc
prevent his sending them any message -
"How did you come TO know himg''
Il used to do some charitable work
at that time, especially in the Bolton
PRISON. whore he was confined
did you reform any criminals1''
Jack Hall specifically inquired
Come, Hall, let him alone, Frarie
fnterposed- 1--WE want to hear about the
burglar"
Ihad been in and out for months be.
fore saw Navy. but at last the Warden
gained confidence in my discretion, and
after an explicit warning volunteered tC
take me to the conviot's cell.
Navy rs a crafty old fellow, hs
admonished me. Don't repeat word
that he says He will try to use you
when you least suspect it.
eve found the prisoner sitting by
the door, with his grizzled head restins