Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-30

OF them. No, no; we must have the
money, but we must work the business
SO that our-or rather my-honesty
can't be called into question.
Now listen to my plan, and if any
OF you think Of better one, I'll be
glad enough to hear it. I've arranged
that there shall be something of a cere-
mony on the occasion Of the handing
over OF the money to the strike COM
m1ttee. I've got the loan of a big hall
at the East End for the purpose, and
L intend to make bit of splash. The
editors OF all the democratic papers
will be invited, and all the NJ. P.'s and
other public men who talk tall about
the sacredness of labor, and all the
rest of it. They'll come readily
enough If they think there's .a.chance
of a good advertisement, and We'll ar
range that. The hall 1 am taking will
hold couple of thousand people. II
has window right behind the plat
form, which in winter is covered by
thick plush curtain, but in summer
can be left open, and so keep the place
cool, which is a consideration, for il
the weather is as hot as it is now the
place will be precious stuffy. The
chairman will sit at the table, with
myself on his right, and the members
OF the strike committee, the Nj. P's and
so on around us. After the usual pre-
liminaries, the chairman will call upon
me to hand over on behalf of the Ger
man working people the noble sum
they have so generously and self-sacri-
fcingly subscribed to assist the work
!ngmen in England. l rise, make my
speech, work 1t up well, present the
satchel containing the money-gold
and small banknotes-and then resume
my seat. The satchel Will, of course.
be accepted on behalf of the British
workman by the chairman. But when
the enthusiasm is at its height, the
electric light will suddenly be turned
out, Immediately after which a small
(Quite harmless) bomb will be thrown
against the wall and exploded some
where in the room. At that particu-
lar moment, when everyone's attention
will be distracted, shall snatch up the
satchel and toss it out of the open WIN
dow behind me, where one of us will
be waiting to secure it. The sudden
change from light to darkness will
prevent those present from seeing what
is going on until their eyes have be-
come little accustomed to the dark
ness; and the bursting of the bomb
will so dazzle them and give then such
a fright, that l hope my little maneu-
yer will be well covered, and the fact
Of my having risen from my seat, even
IL ii is noticed, won't rouse suspicion,
for the chances are that the bomb will
bring the whole platform to it's feet,
and will perhaps create panic. When
the light is turned on again, and the
money is found to be missing, there
will be a row, and a big one, of course,
but that needn't trouble us, and we can
let them fight it out among themselves.
What do you think of the plan, gen.
tlemen? You see, we manage the
business without mourning any great
suspicion or running much risk, and we
put a clear thousand apiece into our
pockets. The idea strikes me as all
right. We can't afford to let il be sup
Dsssd there's any hanky-panky games
going on, so far as we are concerned,
as if so we shouldn't be allowed the
handling of the money that's sub
scribed by the different associations
and leagues, which we represent And
as having a finger in the pie means
some thousands a year, 1t wouldn't pay
us-for the sake of thousand apiece
to incur suspicion. But If my plan
works out according to my idea-and
don't see why it shouldn't-we get tho
money all the same without losing the
confidence of the public"
You're a geniusl" said Councillor
Number Six. Wasn't 1 right, mates,
when / said he was cut out for our
chief? Now tell us when the thing
comes OFF and how the rest OF us are
going to help you. think I'm the boy
10 wait outside and play at catcb-ball
with the cash-box."
Easy. my friend-easyi" put in
Number Two. as | shall still continue
to call him. Have you forgotten
that We are all wanted for the
murder of constable not two miles
from this very spot, and that the
murder took place only yesterday?
You are safe enough in this house.
or rather in this room, but any
stranger who's seen in this neighbor-
hood just now may be called upon to
give an account of himself. We can't
do with less than three to carry out
the business successfully. must be on
the platform to do the bomb business
and toss the cash out of the window
for one: then one of us must be out
side to catch it. and make off with it;
and one of us must undertake to put
out the light at the right moment.
Two out OF the three must be Hub
lock and myself, who can go out of the
house unsupported. The other must be
one Of you three gentlemen. but we
shall have to go very carefully to work
to smuggle him out The remaining
two had best lie low here meanwhile.
I'm sorry | can't arrange for the whole
Of you TO lie perdu for the present, but
don't want to let anyone else into our
secrets, and must rely upon one of you
to help. VIII you three draw lots to see
who's to act with lubbock and me?
think lubbock should be the per-