The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02

MS many altaseS-Stood at the very head
of his mixed profession. i use the adjec-
tive advisedly; for. in addition to being
an accomplished burglar, he was-and the
blend is most uncommon-a very compe-
tent and successful cheyalier d'industrie.
Forgery was a speciality OF his; so was the
confidence trick in all its varied
branches; faxed cards and dice, too, had
received much attention at his hands. But
SO clever were his DISCUSSES. SO consum-
mate his impudence and skill in conduct
ing his operations, that, although at times
the Australian police laid hold of him. he
invariably slipped though their fingers,
owing generally TO some defective link in
the question Of identity. Burglary the
Toll Bird" looked upon as an inferior and
demoralizing form of excitement: one TO
be seldom practiced. and then only when
the booty was well worth the risk.
Stones" were the only things that ap-
pealed TO him; and the melting pot was
rarely the richer by any contribution from
his hands. This matter was probably an
other factor in his long immunity. News
papers were, of course, his principal
sources Of Information. No person in Mr..
Hunters line of business can have better
or more reliable ones in these days. Thus
when he noticed a reporters glowing eu-
logy anent a parcel OF fine sems-dia-
monds and sepphires-just received from
London by Messrs. Bezil & Carat, the big
jewellers Of Pitt Street. Sydney, New South
Wales. he felt the time had arrived for
one of his rare debauches-an irresistible
craving sensation much the same as at
intervals seizes upon the reformed dipso-
maniac for spirits. So, hurriedly winding
up his affairs in Adelaide. where he had
been doing uncommonly well amongst re-
turned miners from Coolgardie, he jour-
neyed to the New South Wales capital.
And then. after inspecting the jewels in
the character Of a lucky Westralian dig
ger, and finding them well worthy of his
attention. he at once went to work.
First adopting precaution that more
than once had served him in good stead, he
booked a steerage passage by the outgoing
mail steamer tor San Francisco and sent a
certain amount of luggage on board.
The steamer sailed on the fourth day
from his arrival IN the Eastern capital:
and at midnight on the third the "Toff
Bird was taking the measure of the great
safe in Messrs. Bezil & Carat's showroom,
out of which he had on his previous visit
seen the precious stones produced. Two
hours later, before the combined forces Of
drill and Jimmy, the door swung open. But
il had been tough contract even for that
master OF scientific entry, and the floor
was wet with perspiration as his tremb-
ling hands wandered over the shelves
seeking the box whose shape and contents
he had taken such strict cogniZance o.
only a few days ago. But 1t was gone. In
vain he flashed his lantern here and there
Nothing met his eager eyes except watch
es. bracelets. rings-all very well in their
way. doubtless. but nothing to him. The
parcel had vanished Sold, perhaps. Not
loose stone could be seen as he ran
sacked the safe, pulling its glittering con-
tents out on to the floor beside him. In
his deep disappointment he swore aloud
Then, presently. very beautiful opal and
diamond ring catching his eye, he absent
ly put 1t on the index finger Of his right
hand and. leaning back. watched the iri-
descent cleaning of the big central stone
a Queensland opal of most exceptional lus-
tre and size.
All the interest Of his venture had de-
parted Five thousand pounds worth of
mixed jewelry lay around him, as he
squattad there. cleaning in the light of
his open bull's-eye. But he had missed his |
shot and cared little for aught besides. |
Still, after all. there were some stones |
choosing from amongst his array. of tools |
peculiarly shaped pair of pincers, he took |
up q bracelet set with two large rubies. |
and deftly-snip. snip-cut them out of |
their setting and let them drop on the |
floor beside him. As the last one fell he |
heard noise at his back ard screwed his |
head round. In a second he was on his |
feet. short, thin, why, dark-faced, clean
shaver man confronting another-a burly,
tail one. whose shadow ran huge and black
along the shop as, waving his lantern, he
exclaimed. in a harsh. ropy voice:
Aha, got yer. ave 1? Nice little game
this. amt it? Well. yer'd better come along
o me. No larks now. cause I'm big
enough and strong enough to eat yer.
So"
That was the last word he ever spoke.
for the next instant steel bar crashed
fun on his head, and he fell like a pithed
bullock, shaking the whole place with the
fall of tim-fell right across the heap of
tewelry, thick stream OF blood running
slowly from the cleft skull amidst the
scattered gold and silver. Almost upoon-
sciously the "ToT Bird, stopped to res
cue the rubies: but he was too late. Al
ready the dark pool had surrounded them.
and he drew his hand back with gesture |
or repulsion and disgust as his fingers |
nearly came in contact with it.
Hang the luck!'' he muttered. clicking
tongue and teeth together irritably. |
What cursed mess, Snuffed out. sup {
pose. in one act!'' And he bent down /
10 listen at the PROSTATE figure The man |
lad fallen forward on his face. and all that {
'onld be seen by the strong light from the ]
Toll Birc's" lantern. resting on one of
he safe shelves. was mass of dark curly j
lair. with raw and gaping wound across p
[, from which blood oozed The body gave /
10 sign OF life. Evidently the heavy T
'slice"-in shape something like great
,aperfnife. and used for inserting ard | @
cut right through into tie e
rain r
what rotten luck," exclaimed the "Tofr c
Bird" again. as he began to gather his i
ools up. Who'd ha' thought a tap like \
hat would ha' spread him out in such | O
ashton? 1t was not finding what came S
or. expect, that male me hit Sd hard {
hat and his cheek. A nice how ihere'l | n
e tomorrow. There's a few stones here d
forth having" he continued taking out
is pliers. But no. I'll touch nothing. | n
hey can have the bag. too. 1t might r
Iork mischief outside" Then, after care a
llly examining his clothes and giving a h
ist glance OF distaste and anger at the $,
FORM he extinguished the light
nd made his way into the narrow alley ! "
'om which he had effected an entrance | :,
1t was an advantage that the police c,
ould never dream o. suspeatirg him as "
lie author OF such a clumsy, half. conn let 4 .,
piece of work And rs re lot himself a.
Ito Els lodgings he doubted whether there ~
ould be any necessity for him to leave N'
lie Colony. Lighting The gas. his eye fell .,
pom the ring-until now completely for :.
1t;en. With curse he took 1; of and :,
1T ii Into his waistcoat pocket. -
Suddenly he started burricdly searched ~
~ cl.p.c nd |