Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-21

of sawn bone was pictured so faith fully that one patron of art declared that it made him hungry to think of 1t frizzling In the pan; while for low CTS and people of poetic temperament, moonlight scene done in darlx.blue- chalk with white effects, sunset that glared in crimson and yellow, and a shipwreck In black and gray with a white lifeboat putting out to the res cue, completed the exhibition.
 Having disguised myself as work ing man, l waited until I knew there would not be many people passing, in order that I might ask the artist if 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 I wanted word with him.
 "Nothin' much, mate" I replied. "Only I've got a little money laid by, and thought O settin' up in your line myself and wanted to buy business. How much'll 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 peered into my face as if he expected to recognize me. Then he ex- claimed in g voice hoarse with pas sion:
 Come, drop it! None of your tricks with me; I was prepared for some thing of this sort! Who are you? A detective, eh? Speak up! for I'll stand none of your nonsense!"
 It was getting dark. but not so dark tn at I did not see a peculiar twitching Of the eyebrows, which had noticed as the only sign of excitement that Number Three had betrayed when, at the drawing of lots in the gipsy wagon, he discovered that it had fallen to his share to assist Number Two in obtain ing possession of the concealed dyna- mite. Yes, it was Number Three un- questionably, and had indeed made as pretty mess of the business as was possible.
 Staggered as was, however, I did not lose my presence of mind. No! mol" made haste to protest with ear nestness. which was not all assumed, for his hand was at his side-pocket, as if in search of weapon 'I ain't no sneakin' tee. Strike me dead if am! I'm pore man like yourself, mate, and don't like the tees no better nor wot you do, for if they knew what lay I I 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. I Well, it's like this," I answered; there's man wot lives in this Square I as I'm goin'. to put knife into. 1 You're pore man and I'm pore man. See! So you won't peach on me, know. This mana lord he calls his- self-he's took the bread out O my mouth and out O my kiddies' mouths, and out O the mouths O my mates 1 and their kiddies. That's wot he's I done the Lord Cranthorpe's l his name, and some of us--them as is men and not chickens ave met on the quiet and talked over low we could get even with i'm. We're men, we are, l not dogs to be kicked and starved an' robbed, and our missises and kiddies starved, by the likes of i'm. And we've drawn lots which of us was to knife i'm, and I drawn the billet and got to do 1t. Well, my mates they sent the at round, and got bit O money to- I gether to 'elp me in ,doin' the job So as your lays just a-nigh Is 'ouse, .l want to buy out the business, so as can 'ang around without 'aving no per- < ishin' p'liceman harsking questions. Then waits for my man when 'e's comin' in or goin out when there ain't nobody by, and then I spikes i'm. I See? You're pore man and som I. Eh? That's right, ain't it? On the square, too. We'll, low much do yer want for it?"
 'I don't want anything" he said. q shall go straight away and put his lordship on his guard, and then set the police on you. That's what shall do"
 That's what you'll do, eh, is it9yer bloomin' monkey?" I said, with a great assumption of fury. You give hinformation to the p'lice, yer perishin' pavement spiler! No, yer won't, not much; not if as to swing for yer!"
 There! there! my friend! That's all right" he said T only wanted to see if you were made of the right stuff or not. How was I to know that you weren't detective in disguise, and that all this talk of yours wasn't plant to take me in? Now look here! If you Are in earnest in all this, so am l. have bone of my own to pick with Lord Cranthorpe, and that's why Tn here. Can't we work together? Two heads are better than one. and car put you ID to better way and big. ger way--a laundering sight bigger way-of sending Lord Cranthorpe tc blazes than by putting knife into .lim."
 CTo Be Continued,