The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-29
CHAPTER I.

| %~@oa said so he lied, and I can prove it. I'v' been too long in this business not tt know that simple breakin' and enterin ain't nothin' to kllin' man. No first | class man in the profession would thinl of doin' such a thing. seer'
 Gentlemen. gentlemen said third taking his pipe out of his mouth, ''pra, cease this useless wrangling Shorty is satisfied in his own mind that he ha, never broken through the etiquette oi his profession, and the word of gen tleman is sufficient. Shorty, sit down Keegan. be seated. Such quarrels CT dis subject in hand"
 Lord don't he talk like book. Say London, where did you get 1t all?'
 By all I suppose you refer to my ! education. You needn't think that I an | going to regale you with the story oi my life. for I am not. Suffice it to say that I am not what I appear to be. was not educated as a professional house. breaker, as you can guess" | 70, that's dead easy to see. You are a swell. any one knows that. Didn't see you at Dei-''
 Shut up. Shorty or I'll throw this mug down your throat and a wicked | glint of the eyes made the man ad- | | remain silent.
 T will simply say for your edification that I was educated at Oxford. Do you know where that is? No? Well, 1t Is a greater university than either Yale or Harvard in this country. and very much older It is in England, and 1t takes the lead in all educational as we'll as re- | ligious mattefs.'
 Gosh, ain't ne great, Keeg?" T thank you for your admiration. but to continue and conclude. I supposed | myself the heir to title and a fortune, | as my older brothers wife promised to l be childless and I was the next of kin; | when suddenly she took 1t into her head | to produce a fine boy. and my chances | were blasted. I left a crop of debts and came here."
 Then you were knocked out of being a lord and gettin' the boodle." That is about it. Shorty. though 1 | have hopes. The child was stolen when 5 years old, and my brother died from a | broken heart, whatever that may be- Well, why don't you step in, old | man?"
 "Tm not old man. and I object to your familiarity.
 Gee, ain't he great!'' Tt Is not because of any snobbishness
 
 If I should happen to become lord. as I may, I could not associate with you any longer, and I do not wish to foster any hopes of future intimacy in your guileless breast"
 Say, what are you givin' us? Do you | really expect to be lord? Is that straight?'
 That is. as you term 1t, straight" When do you expect to be a bloomin' lord?"
 That also do not know My nephew, though stolen. is alive, and we'll, and word Is occasionally sent that he will be kept and not returned. until he Is 25, unless previously killed by accident!' Say. ain't that a fairy storyY' Do you suppose that I would waste | my time inventfng such a yarn as that | to tell you?"
 70, don't know. You beat all when you get on your war paint" Perhaps so, but this Is a most unpleas- | antly true story. I assure you. Now let us talk business. When are we to do the Van Nostrand house?' Right away, quick. Reddie Wiggins Is comin' here this mornin'. Hark! There are steps on the stairs now, that's him. An, there, Reddie. got the boy with you, see. Send him into the other room while we settle things ' 'Go in there, Bobs.'' said the man called Reddie, pointing to the door at the end of the room. You'll find books and papers to amuse you, and you needn't listen through the keyhole." The boy looked ct him without answer ing, and then walked to the door, open ed 1t and closed 1t quietly as he went in.
 Blessed if he don't beat all! Most bo"s would have told me to shut up or {t,' ~lA l.,,t answers, and never has since he was a kid"
 Where did you get him. Reddie?"
 "Son of a sister of mine. She died and took him and brought him up"
 And a fine profession you put him to-" said London, mockingly.
 well. that's my business, MT. British and don't want any of your sneers."
 You mistake me. my friend. I ad- mire your choice. He is a fine-looking lad. even if he is bit rough in his make up. I suppose that goes with his part. Where did he get those eyes and that mouth? Your sister must have been a great beauty. Now, l admire your tall ents, but no one would choke you for your looks" He dodged his head so that pewter mug just missed him. Well, aimed. but I am used to your ways, Red die. my man.
 You needn't ask any more questions about that boy, just the same. I'll look after him, and don't you fret, Are you going to talk business, or what is up, anyhow?"
 Business it is. Reddie Shorty, give us that plan of the Van Nostrand house. Here we are. There, you see that door | Well, here is small window through which the boy could crawl easily. Then there is a short flight up to the level of ! the street. You see the side door is down in an area, so that we can keep a watch and put Bobs through the small window without being seen from the sidewalk"
 Great stuff, London, you're genius" said Reddie. skipping him on the back.
 Look here. Reddie I appreciate your enthusiasm and admiration for my tall ents. which I admit is well merited. but object to having my lungs tested and my spinal column. If you know what that is. dislocated by that hammer fist of yours.
 Ali right, London. didn't know that you were so delicate.
 Pm not delicate. vol ass! But if there is anything that hate it is to be banged on the back. That Is all there is to it."
 Well, go on with your explanation of the plan, and l will try and not show my feelings"
 'AIl right, see that .ou don't. Now here Is the hall floor, and this is the hall. You see that 1t is a big room,
 o~.