The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-20
CHAPTER V.


THE ETHICS OF HONEST THlEvERy.
Promptly at o'clock Mr. Mitchell was
st the appointed place. where he waited
long enough to begin to doubt that Slip
perry Sam would keep his tryst, when sud
denly that worthy appeared at his side,
like a sprite in pantomime. Evidently
he enjoyed the trick Of stepping forth
from places of concealment, for he
chuckled at the surprise which he created
and remarked:
Excuse me mister. but I've got my
reputa tlon 10 keep up. See?"
''Ah. yes. OF course" replied Mr.. Nit
chcl, remembering the fellows name.
''weIl. you see | have come. Are you
still willing to take me to this meeting
Of your friends
why. cert, What am | here for? You
follow me. an all I've got TO say. Is keep
your eyes peeled an your mouth shut an
you won't git into trouble. by the
way. what line are you mr.
What line am | in? oh, You mean
what sort OF crime Is my speciality?
You're ny. mister You see you've
got TO be introduced, an we'd better fix up
your trade before We git started, SOS 10
have no slips"
well then" said MIR. Mitchell. slightly
amused at his anomalous position. las
an expert. what would you advise? What
sort OF crook do | look most like
That's the trouble. said Sam.
scratching his head by way OF assisting
thought You look so much like the
genuine gentleman it's hard 10 place YOU.
Say, I've got II, by ginger. You're bank
note engraver; that's what you are--regu-
lar trade. mean, but you do an OCCASION
al Job with the queer. an you've never
been spotted yet See? That's why you
amt known out OF your own private cir
Gle. What's more you've just dropped
I'm to hear the lecture. but YOU Amt look
in for no rev pals. nor you amt extendin
your operations into other lines. That's
the ticket That's as safe as a string.
No inquisitive questions answered an no
new friends desired"
Very good. But how do ! happen 10
know your
"Oh. me, oh. as to me-thats simple.
One Of your pals is up the river for care
lessness in changin n bin. I met him. an
ne give me a message TO YOU When I come
out I'm hard up, an you're stalking me
till git on easy street. How does that
strike your
The insidious naivete Of the latter part
Of this answer tickled Mr.. Mitchefs fancy.
and ne laughed aloud az he replied:
II say. my man, you're an original In
your way. Yes. I'll stake you for
awhile
Slippery Sam led the way along the
docks. keeping I'm the shadows from force
Of habit ra ather than from any necessity
since no member OF the police force APP
peared I'm sight until presently he darted
quickly to the right. disappearing with
his customary celebrity. Mr.. Mitchell
awaited his return with patience and In
few minutes was attracted by low
whistle which seemed to come from be-
meath him. Looking down. he deserted
small boat In the shadow OF the dock.
manned by two powerful oarsmen. and
in the bow stood his late compa nion,
beckoning TO him. Comprehending that
II was meant that he should enter IN,
boat he climbed down the rotten sides
of the dock and dropped the men. as
and quickly away.
No words were spoken as they picked
their way out into the Hudson. the men
avoiding the wash OF the great ferry boats
with a skill which indicated that they
were experienced watermen. Turning
down the river. they rowed for more than
a mile between the shores Of the two
cities, the many lights OF which make n
beautiful stage picture and bewilded one
unaccustomed 10 the night view of the
shores so that IL would be impossible TO
locate the spot where they finally stopped
and boarded a small excursion steamboat.
which itself was moving slowly down the
river
Slipperys Sam stood up and threw a
rope TO n man standing near the rail NJ
the steamboat. and they were hauled up
close alongride. Mr. Mitchell and Sam
were helped aboard. and the boat which
had brought them dropped astern. A few
minutes later the speed OF the steamboat
was greatly accelerated. indicating that
no more passengers were expected. and
within an hour she had passed out be-
tween the great guns OF -the- Mo-forts
which guard the Narrows and wss riding
lasly on the ocean highway between
Sandy Hook and Coney Island
The Siren was one OF the many small
steam vessels licensed To take excursion
lists from the metropolis To the many re-
sorts within two hours sail of the Bat
terry. The captain and owner being him
self a member Of the sporting fraternity.
had scented n good thing for himself when
the sudden activity of the police. due 10
the closing Of the city gambling rooms.
He had therefore. summoned few OF
the professional gamesters and quickly
interested them IN his venture" They
were to run the games. while he would
run the boat" as one of the men tersely
put Il.
To thie end the forward cabin had been
eiaborately ntted up with the necessary
Of the portable order In case of emer-
Rency. There were two faro dealers. two
roulette wheels and number ~ tables
FOR poker As the boat ALREADY eni "a