The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-17
SELF EXECUTIONERS


--cursing much in a suppressed voice as
he did so. After pause he again
thrust out his hand and signalled when
his paw was at once grasped in the un-
mistakable thieves grip. He then tried
the watch again: II was deftly removed;
and so he continued passing out tho
piunder TIL the whole pile was gone. He
then sgnalied that he meant 10 hand
out no more, and returned TO the ad-
Joining room to exercise his skill In vain
upon the locks OF the safes. There were
abundance OF hammers and wedges In
the workshop below, but he hesitated to
use them on account OF the noise, and
would have given anything for strong
crowbar. which he had neither been able
10 bring with him nor thought of asking
Slotty to pass In 70 him. The few skel-
eton keys he carried with him were fee
HE and useless: so after an hour or two's
hard work he gave up the task. and pro-
ceeded-not TO break out OF the building.
which was impossible. but 10 prepare for
the rest he had so industriously earned
The sweetest happiness we can enjoy
upon earth is to look back on hard work
successfully accomplished Had tho
Blade, then. not the surest guarantee OF
a sound sleep? Everything loft in the
shape OF paper and workmen's Jackets
and aprons he collected and conveyed to
his sleeping place. which -Mas=Mhere do
YOU Think The case which had hidden
him was surmounted by a broad and
deep cornics of mahogany, much like
that which crowns the most book
cases. and behind that was a proportion
ately roomy hollow or recess, nine inch
es deep. 10 feet long. and more than
foot board. This elevated perch, indeed.
could not have suited him better had it
been made and planned for his reception.
Peacefully the hard working Sheffield
Blade laid his head on his pillow OF sto-
len coats and slumbered till morning.
till the very inserting of the key In tho
front door by the shopman.
During all the alarm and shouts OF dis
covery, the Blade lay listening with the
most lively interest, not unmixed with
concern for himself. And when I ap-
peared, and began at one end OF the
place and ended my search at the other,
he all but gave himself up for lost.
even, Ii seems. stood up on chair to
examine the top shelf OF the case, lit
tie dreaming that a few inches higher
would have revealed the reclining form
OF the Blade TO my eyes. To look back
on the oversight seems idiotically stu
pid, admit; but at the time 1 was not
thinking OF the thief actually being on
the premises, having all but decided that
the job was the work of an amateur. not
n professional criminal. L completed my
examination and left the place. and then
the Blade began TO look out for an OPP
portunity of leaving his perch. He had
fully expected to get such a chance In
the course OF the day, but the stir and
excitement OF the robbery brought too
many into the shop. and night found him
still imprisoned. half famished. and be-
ginning to get seriously concerned. After
the shop was shut mp, he -pentured down.
and signalled several times through the
closet window, and at last was rewarded
by having q parcel OF bread and bee, and
the indispensable whiskey, thrust Into
his hand by the faithful slotty. 1t IL
possible that Slotty-who had learned
little writing and reading I'm prison
might have conveyed TO the Blade at the
same time some written message. but
the Blade had not made good use of his
various sentences. and could neither read
nor write. After another nights rest
on the top of the case, the Blade. now
grown desperate, resolved to get out at
whatever risk. The shop was opened as
usual, except that Mr.. Farley, who had
new locks put on the door. accompanied
his men: and then when the foreman
was below, and the shopman and his
employer at the back. the Blade was left
for a moment with no one In the front
shop but an old woman who was busy
scrubbing up the floor In front or the
counter. BY and by this woman worked
her way back and round the end OF the
counter TIL she; was STOPPING behind
then Win n QUICK ScTdInDle uioP,tio
Blade got down at the end of the cornice
next to the door. The sound was in
stantiy heard by the old woman. who
looked up with a start. when the Blade
nodded cheerfully and said. as he laid
his hand on the door latch
Nice morning. isn't it?"
He then vanished from the shop, shut
ting the door so softly that no one heard
him go; and having disarmed the wo-
mans suspicious so effectually that she
never once spoke Of having seen him.
and imagined all along that he was ono
OF the working jewellers employed be-
low.
Sheffield Blade was probably elated and
happy at what ne considered the culmina-
tion of success; but II so. his Joy was
brief. He made his way straight to the
den OF Slotty. whom he found alone-his
spouse being then in prison. Slotty was all
joy at seeing him. and hastened to prepare
breakfast. and then rather puzzled his
guest by saying
And where's the swag?
where's the swss7'' repeated Slotty.
"Where did you stow it?
.Stow it, I didn't stow IL anywhere.
I handed II to you through the little
.aThati do for you,'' said slotty with
a knowing smile. Come en- now-no
CANNON: what did you do with it?''
There was a horrible pause. during
which each thought the darkest things
OF his beloved pal, not unmingled with
suggestive rccollections OF the past.
''Do you mean 10 tell me you didn't
get IL all through the winder?" said Shelf
field Blade, getting livid with passion,
and speaking with unnatural slowness
and distinctness.
"I mean just that. Soon "a I tipped
you the bottle I heard a noise behind.
and saw "a man look out of n stable loft
behind the green, and making sure *
was a peg bolted."
Sheffield Blade said nothing. but got
out from the back lining OF his coat
lesden- headed "neddy." which nc had the
reputation OF being able to use. and Slotty
instantly saw that something was wrong
and apprehensively fumbled for his to-
bacco knife.
You think 10 do me WI that miserable
storyg' bresthed the Sheffield Blade,
with deadly distinctness.
Strike me dead II I'm not telling tho
truth" cried Slotty. In earnest protest
Then a sudden light appeared 10 dawn
on him also. and he opened his knife
with energy, kissing out the words, "Oh
that's your little game. TO do me out OF
nay share? Say YOU handed Il TO me
through the vinder and kick up n row
, sll for sake Of Appearances. Ohio thought
because you done me wunst afcre. and
got mo ten y.srs. you'll do me again
ehs III Just settle up now for this and