Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-09
CHAPTER VIII.


seven days, the probabilities were that
Number Two would take no further
action until he had had an Opportunity
of consulting his collea CUES.
But | knew him to be a CONSEQUENT
tial parsonage, ever ready to act on his
own responsibility; and what was
more likely than that so ambitious n
man should go further than his in
structions. and seek to strengthen
his position as a candidate for the
chieftainship by some master stroke
which would confound and astonish his
colleagues? If at the forthcoming
meeting he could inform the council
that not only had he performed the
task entrusted to him, and had OBJ
tanned possession OF the dynamite. but
that he had actually put the explosive
20 the use for which 1t was intended,
ana had blown up the house of the Of
lending nobleman, his zeal in the
cause coUid not fail to win the COM
mendation of the executive.
In view of such a contingency
deemed it wise to keep an unwinking
watch upon the condemned house. and
did not think l could better effect NV
mess, goodwill and stock-in-trade. of
u pavement artist" who had installed
nimseh not Tar from Lord Cranthorpe
residence, but on the other side of the
way. Piantagenet Square consisted of
. circular space. laid out in grass plots
and gravel paths, and bordered by trees
snd shrubs. The whole was framed in
oy Tour rows of solidly built, but ex-
ceedingly English looking and ugly
houses, which constituted the Square
the central enclosure being surrounded
by high iron ratings, that had a broad
pavement running around them. Here
II was that the artist in question, by
dint OF much chalking and finger
smearing, had succeeded in producing
n highly-fnished picture of a purple
faced and apoplectic-lool1ing person
In widows weeds, which bore the
loyal and not unnecessary legend.
GOD save the Queen" Much as this
portrait of Her Majesty was admired
by patriotic passers. the most critica,
were of the opinion that, as a likeness.
1t was not quite up to the level of a
portrait OF mackerel, which formed
the companion picture
But the gem of the collection-in the
opinion of materially-minded folk at
ali events-was rasher of bacon, in
which even such detail as the section
OF sawn bone was pictured so faith
fully that one patron of art declared
that 1T made him hungry TO think of
1t frizzling in the pan; while for low
ers ard people of poetic temperament.
moonlight scene done in dark blue
chalk with white effects, sunset that
giared in crimson and yellow, and a
shipwreclI in black and gray with
white lifeboat putting out TO the res
cue, completed the exhibition.
Having disguised myself as a work.
ing man. l waited until knew there
would not be many people passing. in
order that l might ask the artist il
he were willing to enter into negotia-
tions for the sale of his business. He
was sitting with his back to the rail-
ing, his cap being displayed beside him
TO invite the casual copper.
what is it?" he said suspiciously.
when told him wanted q word with
him.
'Nothin' much, mate" replied.
"Only I've got little money laid by,
and thought o. settin' up in your line
myself and wanted TO buy a business.
How much1l yer sell this yer show
stand and all--for. eh?"
To my surprise he leapt TO his feet
excitedly. and grasped the lapel of my
coat. he pcered into my face as if he
expected 10 recognize me. Then he ex-
claimed in a voice hoarse with pas
sion:
Come. drop it, None of your tricks
with me: | was prepared for some
thing of this sort, Who are you? A
detective. oh? Speak up! for I'll stand
none of your nonscnSe!"
1t was getting dark. but not so dark
that ! did not see peculiar twitching
oil the eyebrows. which had noticed
as the only sign OF excitement that
Number Three had betrayed when at
the drawing of lots IN the gypsy wagon,
ne discovered that 1t had fallen to mis-
share 10 assist Number Two in obtain
ing possession OF the concealed dyna-
mite Yes. IL was Number Three I'M
Questionably. and had indeed made as
pretty a mess of the business as was
possible
Staggered as I was. however, I did
not lose my presence of mind. mol
mol" ! made haste to protest with ear
hestness, which was not all assumed.
Tor his hand was at his side-pocket, as
In search of a weapon. II amt no
sneakin' tee. Strike me dead If | ami
I'm a pore man like yourself. mate,
and don't like the tees no better nor
wot you do, for IL they knew what lay
was on. they'd nab me and no mis-
take. they would. rot 'em!"
What's your game, then?" he said
shortly. but less aggressively.
Well. it's like this" | answered.:
there's man wot lives in this Square
az I'm goin' to put a knife into.
you're a pore man and I'm a pore man,
zee! SO you won't peach on me,
know. This mana lord he calls his
seif-he's took the bread ont o. nv
mouth and ont O, my Riddles, rnonths