River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-10-05
ROtherby'S Last Crime
Ey Adam R. Thomson.
~ az M aS M M M NS M 7TSa
GNRIMINALs," said my friend James

nHRIMINALS, said my friend James
Rotherby, on one of those rare
occasions when he allowed himself to
refer to past" which was not entirely
creditable; criminals are divided into
two classes very much like other people.
There are those who believe in sticking
to the old-fashioned methods, and those
whose taste lies in the direction of inno-
walton and reform-conservativ and
liberals, so to speak. Joe Clumber, for
instance, clung tenaciously to the views
he had inherited from a father in the
same line of business, and couldn't see
beyond the jimmy and the life-pre-
server, and so forth. /, on the other
hand, perhaps because I'd merely drift
ed into crime and hadn't been born to
it, shrank from the use of such imple
ments, and preferred stratagem to vio-
lence. And, in spite of what I'm about
to tell you, I'm not going to admit that
was altogether wrong"
He paused, slipped his whisky and wa
ter, gave a short laugh and proceeded.
well, you see, Clumber and / hadn't
had much luck for long time, when
one day happened to spot an advertise
ment of big picture sale to be held in
Bond street the same afternoon.
showed the newspaper to Joe, and after
some discussion it was arranged that |
should go, on the off chance of getting
wind of something to our advantage, as
they say Accordingly, dressed my
self in suitable togs and went, having
told Clumber / should expect a good
feed when | returned at six. Joe, l may
mention, never took odd jobs requiring
a swell get-up. Frock coats and light
kids didn't become him, and he knew his
limitations.
but Joe did understand how to cook
a piece of steak to turn, and | couldn't
find any fault with the meal awaiting
me when l got back from the sale. On
the contrary, enjoyed it so much that
it was some minutes before l could
spare time for conversation. Then /
said, magnanimously:
Nov, Joe, I'll crafty your curl
osity'
It's about time you did, grunted
my partner; but ignoring the observa-
ton, continued:
Most of the things sold to-day were
more or less rubbish, but there was one
quite a small picture, about three
feet by two feet-that went for { $1,000
"Clumber's eyes sparllled. Three
thousand quid?' he echoed.
''Yes. 1t was a Gainsborough.'
"a what?'
"A Gainsborough. That's the name
of the painter, you know
'Oh-well?'
"Well, Joseph, do you think if we
could get hold of that picture, the re-
ceiver, or fence. as you call him, we've
dealt with before would take it off our
hands?'
do you mean the Antwerp bloke?'
eyes
Hell take most things. We might
try him
1--we might; for we've just got money
enough to pay our fares, and the trip'd
do us good, Ell, Joe?'
"'But amt this all little previous.
Rotherby? We amt got the picture
yet, ave we?'
''Not yet, certainly, but paused,
and added. impressively; 1 know
who's bought it, and when it's going to
be sent to his house. managed to over
hear what he said TO the auctioneer's
clerk He's an old gentleman-hi
name is Buckleigh. and he lives at The
Lindens," Cockermouth Gardens. High
gate. The picture is to be delivered
there between six and seven tomorrow
evening
"'AH right said Joe; then wei
burgle the place tomorrow night
Perhaps we can do better than
that l suggested. There are some
lonely parts in Highgate, and my idea
is that Cockermouth Gardens is one of
them. If so, we might prevent the pic
ture ever being Delivered
Safer to crack the crib persisted
Clumber; but / shook my head.
"'That's nonsense, joe / said. 1t
means delay for one thing. and very
likely hue and cry would be raised be-
fore we could get on board the boat for
Antwerp. Then it'd be all up with us,
for they'd examine the luggage of ey-
eryone leaving the country, and,
though the pictures small one, it's
not small enough to conceal. My plan,
on the other hand. would allow us to
catch the eight o'clock train at Liver
pool street, and it's hundred to one
we would be on board the boat before
they'd have time TO send round the
alarm.
"Clumber admitted reluctantly that
there was some force in my arguments,
and eventually it was agreed that we
should proceed at once TO Coekermouth