The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-28
/ An Expensive Prescription. |


| caiculation regarding which VIII
had an opinion OF HIS own
AMDh affected reluctance the thief Yield
| eAftnd led the way down 20 his den In
The Cowgate--s little cellar OF two places
mp one OF the slimiest and darkest closes.
BrowninRs hesitated for a moment at tho
close mouth, and said somewhat suspici-
J ously--
1 II thought II was brokers' shop you
| kept"
Get awsy with youl do you think I'd
give you them so cheap II was a
broker?" said the generous William Pike:
and so they proceeded up the close and
down some steps into williams den, I'm
which they were graciourly received by
Pike's wife. who hastened 10 dust a
chair and bring out a bottle and glasses
to entertain the gentleman visitor.
Brownings hastily demured. saying he
had come 10 look at the books, and not
10 drink but this statement was re-
ceived by such a warm protest. that he
az length allowed the big woman 10 set
down two delf cups by way OF glasses
into one Of which she had previously
dropped fifty drops OF laudanum-and
then' with much ostentation. to pour into
each a good glassful OF whiskey
The cups were handed TO her husband
and the visitor by this fair enchantress
OF twenty stone-she taking care that the
drugged cup went to the gentleman with
the door-key so temptingly dangling at
his fnger.
Brownings. in haste 10 get the thing
over, hastily gulped down the lquor
without noticing the taste particularly,
and then asked TO see the books and
antiquities. But IL did not suit William 10
comply vary hastily with the demand
from the simple fact that he had none
10 show. he therefore professed 10 be dy-
Ing for smoke, and apolosised for graft
fying the wish before Fastening TO drag
out the ''old rubbish" from the cellar al
the back-a place built against the slope
OF the hill, and therefore both damp and
windowless. Williams smoke lasted SO
long mat his visitor began 10 get drowsy.
and could hardly see when Pike at length
led the way to the back-room, with
lighted candle in his hand Once inside
this room. In which were bed and some
rotten old chairs. he told his stupefied
victim TO seat himself. while he brought
out the things; and then he pretended to
tumble under the bed I'm the darkness for
what was not there. He was still search
ing when the old man fell asleep where
he sat; and then the thief and his wife
tossed him on the bed. and deftly search
ed his pockets for the KEYS OF the house.
after taking that OF the garden door from
his nerveless nngor. William and his
wife cursed not little as they did so. for
not trace Of the keys was TO be found.
There was the gardcn-door key. and a
purse containing n few shillngs, but moth
ing more. All this was awkward. an n
upset Williams arrangement to
go to the house as soon
as II was dark. and while
1t of all that was p val.
able, return the keys to the pocket OF
the drugged man. and leave him lying In
some far-on spot to wake at his leisure.
There was still hope. however: and as
soon as IL was dark Pike got ont to the
house. unlocked the garden gate. and
tri@d the doors OF the hc >,e. only To frd
that they were far too securely fastened
for him TO hope 10 force them. He now
had 1t In his power TO do two things--to
give up the attempt, or to try a more
daring crime: and need not say that his
choice fell on the latter alternative. This
Is the invariable course which all crime
runs, from petty thieving 10 murder and
the gallows. Pike returned TO his den
to find that his victim still slept; but
while he was fiercely taking supper and
planning his new crime there was a kick
Ing at the door OF the Inner cellar to In
innate that the prisoner had awakened.
Pike took down heavy bludgeon, and
unlocked the innor door himself: coolly
hand, and locking the door after him.
'Well; what do you wantT' he said at
last.
i've been asleep, and I want to re,
out was the simple reply. why did
you lock the door,"
ITO keep you in," answered Pike. in
solently. no longer keeping on the mask.
Take care what you say, sir. or an
have the police TO you," cried the oio
man, after an interval OF thought.
WIN YOU How will you get them to
hear you?'
There was horrifed pause. during
which the old man evidently reviewed
his situation, and did not like tho pros
pect. for he sat down trembling and pale
on the edge Of the bed, and stared help
lessly at his iailor.
DO you mean 10 say you have trapped
me. and mean TO keep me here against
my WIFI" he family calculated.
mo, no; trapped Is hard word. You
came hero of your own accord, didn't
your"
Yes; and now want 10 leave. for I
neither like YOU nor the hole you i've in
"Ah, but want something from you
first"
"what7"
Tic Keys Of the house you live IN"
The old man remained silent for some
time. staring at his brutal tailor with
sinking heart. and realizing his position
for the hrst time The whole had been a
carefully prepared plot, and the robbery
of his brothers house was the object.
IL haven't them he ra;ntly responded,
when he found voice.
"G know that. for rye looked In your
pockets" coolly reformed p We; but YOU
know where they are-where you
them after you Nan.v ~, of the house
and locked the door"
The old man was silent BY an ar
rangement with his brother. who had
duplicate key Of the garden door. and
sometimes visited the house AT intervals
during the holidays, the actual KEYS OF
the house were left hanging under a
clump of ivy near the garden door. that
he might be able 10 enter the ,ouse At
any time, even II his brother were alb
sent 10 Was not likely, however. that the
man who had trapped him would dream
Of looking for them there. and the mo-
ments thought gave him courage and
hope ~
you surely do not imagine for n mo-
ment that I VIII help you "a commit
robbery" he at last exclaimed. 81 would
dc sooner than do that to my own