The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-02-19
A CLEVER SCHEME.

1t was like this. Some six or sever
years ago 1 was down on my luck rea
bad. l was dead broke; hadn't a penny
to my name and while I was looking II
cook-shop, cycling the big meat pies
] heard a famous voice say:
Don't turn round, matey; keep still
old Reynard' is about keeping his
peppers on me, I've been looking fol
you all over the place. Come round to
my crib tonight, about ten. I've got a
splendid little job on
The voice was that of Charlie Mat
thews, my old chum and partner In
many a smart money making affair
lie used to be chemists assistant, but
like myself. had come down in the
world owing to a popularity Of nlistak-
ing other peoples property for his own.
/ had lost sight of him for few
months, he having had some slight mis-
understanding with the police, and as a
result had retired from public life for
short time.
There was mirror in that cook-shop
window, and looking in it 1 saw Charlie
stooping down pretending to fasten up
| bootlace, while across the road 1
could see "Old Reynard" strolling along
odd Reynard' was Simon Fox, one or
the cutest detectives at the yard.
I found my ehum quite anxious and
excited when I got to his place that
night He was pacing up and down his
lyittle room, and on seeing me he cried;
"At last Pretty we'll time, isn't it?
Why, thought you were never coming
Kn ne I'M
fear being interrupted as this is the top
floor, and there's only deaf old Rosie in
the place besides ourselves. Do you
want to get a fortune, Jack?"
What is the little game?" / asked.
"Oh, splendid one, as you'll say in
minute. It's perfectly safe and GER
tain with q couple Of intelligent men at
1t. Ever heard of the Edgecombe dla-
monds?'
Rather! Who is there that hasn't?"
well, we're going to have EN-! or
course we've got to get 'em first. But
that's easy if you only follow my direc-
tons. This is a chance Of lifetime,
and we'll make one of the greatest
hauls Of the century. Sir Marmaduke
and Lady Edgecombe are coming up to
town for the royal funeral Tomorrow,
and will return to Edgecombe Manor
that's their country house, you know-a
few days after; that's what the Morning
Post says OF course they'll leave all
their heirlooms and jewelry at the
house; people done wear such things at
funerals
But I don't see how we're going to
do anything in the matter You know
nothing about the place, or where to
look for the things, and I'm not going
to start burgling. Besides, the SER
wants VIII all be there,"
''Of course they will" said Charlie,
in plying voice, "and what's more
they vii show us where the stones are
kept. I've got the plan all laid out in
my head; it's bound to work all right If
you do your part properly. We shall
go down to Armsfield-the nearest sta
ton to Edgecombe Manor-by the 1920
p. m. train the day after tomorrow,
and take with us some policemen's
inspectors suit for me and |
to ourselves, and change |
our toys on the wag down.
when we get to the station we must |
hire carriage to drive us to the house,
and the driver will have to wait till |
we've finished our little job to drive US
On to Lydfeld Junction, four miles |
lway. so that we can catch late train
bck to town, as the last up-train stop
ping at Armsfield will be gone before
We get there. Well, when we get to the
-"
But ! don't think I'll tell what Charlie
aid I'll tell what he did Really twas
me of the neatest little plots ever in
yented
Punctually at 1920 on the appointed
vening our train steamed out of Eus-
on station. We had obtained a COM
'artment to ourselves quite easily--the
esult of monetary interview with
he guard-and soon changed into the
obbes clothes | confess that 1t gave
ne quite a turn to see Charles in the in
pector's rig-out he looked so cute and
tern.
Splitting, isn't it," he said. "This'l
etch 'em, / know. I've wired to let
I'm know we're coming
"W-w-what!" gasped.
ooh, It's all right. Don't you be
larmed, Just trust to me-" he calmly
eplied.
BY the time we had reviewed our
Ian of action we arrived at Armsfleld
here was only one conveyance-a
haky old growler-7at the station, and
nat Charlie hired to take us to the
Ianor House, instrueting the driver to
AIT outside while we executed our
uty," and then drive us to Lydfield
JUNCTION to catch the mail train to Lon
on. Leaving our ordinary clothes
raped In bundle in the cab, and
liking a handbag Charlie bad brought
18th him, we rang furious peal on the
ell at the main entrance of the fine old :
lace. The butler answered the sum-
ons. and directly the door was opened q
harlie pushed me, inside, and then, fol-
wing himself, said TO the man:
Lock that door and give the key to
e See that no one enters or leaves
lie house, or it will be the worse for
ou,'
Certainly, sir; certainly" replied the =
utter. Il received Sir Marmaduke's