The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-05
] ! ].jIHE BURGLAR AND THE EDITOR. Z ! :
30 90


tor Il have an. idea now that people
| like IT,"
IT'S all right for them that under
stands IA, said the burglar, but what's
the good OF Latin 10 me? III you want
| 10 cuss the Germans, why cuss EN-
But It's no good TO quote julius Caesar
or 'Amlet who cares what they think
about il? Stll. / suppose YOU know
| your own business best"
Not at all, said MIR. Strangely, with
| twinkling eyes. Il like 10 get the popu-
lar opinion. VIII YOU have "A cigar?'
Thanks! Never mind about "A knife
| sir; III chew il. Yes! 4 shall invest a
penny in your paper tomorrow morn
| ing"
| He lighted his cigar. and looked a.
| the lighted end critically. ITS not a
bad smoke he said. Il dare say. now.
| you pay a lot OF money for these, but
to my mind they don't come up 60 some
1 get at seven a shilling-there amt the
| ilaVor in them. Mind you, l like a
cigar with lot OF flavor. However,
| he added pleasantly. II don't say but
| what this is a very nice smoke"
The two men puffed away in silence
| for a few minutes, and then Mr.. StranS-
| ley's sharp gray eyes looked up sud
| denly into the burglars face
! NOW, look here, my friend, said
| the editor. briskiy, suppose we tax
| this business over like intelligent men.
The burglar began TO look bored. "Cut
| ii short, governor he said, wearily. Il
! know what you littery gents are. Il
don't take much 60 start YOU talking
| but Act o. Parliament won't stop
| YOU"
is IL worth your while TO rob me p
! said Mr. Strangely. The contents OF
nay safe aIe not worth quite 80 much
/ as you probably think. You run some
| risk OF being caught
! The burglar frOWued.
Not a great risk. / admit" added
| Mr.. Strangely, hastily. "Stll, 1 should,
! OF course do my best TO put. the police
| on your track. and ii is just possible
| they might catch you
That amt very lkely." said the
| burglar. thoughtfully.
| ION the other hand" continued tho
| editor. III l give you a five-pound note
| in a friendly way, and pledge myself
! not 10 give Information against You
would you finish your cigar, and tako
| yourself off peacefully"
The burglar puffed away in silence.
! NO, governor" he said at last i'm r.
] token Of regret; II can't do it. IL amt
| business. You've treated me uncom-
! mon civil, and IN promise not 10 do un-
I necessary mischief. but | can't take .
| fiver for the job. It amt good enough +"
! Mr.. Strangely looked disappointed.
| Then another IDEA seemed TO strike
! him. IF you won't do that," he said,
| will you give me an lnteEXleM.2,,
/ Il am giving you an interview
gruntcd the burglar.
But | mean-will you answer a few
! questions just while YOU finish your
| cigar-so that l can publish An Inter
| view with a London Burglar in my
paper? / think the idea would take
Very likely" said mis- visitor. But
/ amt ng TO give myself away"
Certainly not" said Mr.. Strangely,
| producing a notebook. Il won't ask
: rude questions.
Il don't much like this game" said
| the burglar sulkily. "and it's time
got to work. However ! don't mind Civ
| ing you few tips while | turn out the
safe You just SIT over there, please. 50
| as | can see YOU whiles ! works"
The interview proceeded. The editor
smoked and made notes. The burglar
smoked and answered few questions
while he ran over the contents Of the
| safe and packed up everything that
could be easily converted.
1t was a charming picture. The bur
glar avoided doing unnecessary dam
age, and, i'm fact tr ated the editor as
a friend--or. at any rate treated him
quite as well as friends generally treat
one another As for the editor he
| showed none of that anguish that
might be expected from a man who
was being robbed Of two or three thou
sand pounds worth Of securities. TO
| say nothing Of his deceased Wife's jew
| elry and a presentation watch, which
would do everything except keep good
| time.
In fact. a careful observer wouil
/ have said there was twinkle of
amusement in the old gentleman's
eyes.
Presently the door was pushed open
and three men stepped in quetly-two
constables, and Mr.. Long from the Of
| flee.
Mr.. Strangely looked neither at the
newcomers nor at the burglar, but con
| tinucd To make notes in his book, with
an elaborate air of innocence.
The burglar, who was kneeling on
| the floor grasped the situation at once,
and said he was 'iiggered.'
we seem To be- just In time. sir.
said the man from the office.
Thank YOU, yes said Mr.. Strangely
placidly. we have been having quit,
pleasant chat My friend here likes
tomorrow's leading art G. bat ne does
not approve OF u.c Latin. But | kncl
YOU would understand me, Mr.. Long.
In the meantimc my visitor aD. | have
been enjoying a cigar. lie is giving me
an interview
The burglar rose to his feet. and al
out a murInur. lie seemed 90 De over
come with amaZCment.
DO YOU mean TO tell" he said chat
when ou were talkn' that Latn stun
through the telephone tnat YOU wa
giving them the tip 10 come and nal
me.
Mr. Strangely nodded.
Then you knew what my little game
was dirccrly I entered .hc room
Mr. strangely nodded again.
only YOU kept IL dark
"prccisely.'
with lu air OF deep disgust. the bur
glar looked fiyst at one constable aut
tneu AT thp other.
"C0mc along" hp said. pityngiy.
You amt got much sense: anl ncX'
time YOU wants To- cop anyone, You Cet
old Mcthusclah - help you Hes got
more brains in his litJl" finger than
YOU have bon the whole force"
Good night sir.' De added 90 Nr.
Strangely. Its a good thing YOU ain't
professional detective. II you was
We should all have - turn up house
breaking and take to the stock ex-
change. Good night. sir / was a mid