The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-30

will eventually find 1t on his HI left. and he ought to thank you for two shilllngs. It is kI not a fashionable square, Fl but there are few with finer garden while the studios on the south side lend distinction of another sort. The houses, however l are small and dingy, and about the last ! to attract the expert practitioner in search of a crib Heaven knows 1t was with no such thought trailed Rallies thither l one uniucky evening, at the latter end of that same season, when Dr. Theobold ! had at last insisted upon the bath chair which I had foreseen in the beginning. | Trees whispered in the green garden aforesaid, and the cool, smooth lawns looked so inviting that I wondered wheth- CT some philanthropic resident could not be inducad to lend us the key. But Raf- fies would not listen to the suggestion when l stopped to make it, and what was worse. l found him looking wist- fully at the little houses instead.
 Such balconies Bunny A leg up, and there you would be
 I expressed the conviction that there would be nothing worth taking in the square, but took care to have him un- der way again as l spoke
 T daresay you're right" sighed Raf- fies Rings and watches. I suppose, but it would be hard luck to take them from people who live in houses like these. don't know, though. Here's one with an extra story Stop, Bunny;' if you don't stop I'll hold on to the railings! This is a good house; look at the knocker and the electric bell. They've had that put in. There's some money here, my rabbit! dare bet there's a silver table in the drawing room; and the windows are wide open. Electric light, too, by Jove!'
 Since stop must, had donel so on the other side of the road, in the shadow of the leafy palings, and as Rallies spoke l the ground floor windows opposite had flown alight, showing as pretty little dinner table as one could wish to see, with man at his wine at the far end, and the back of lady In evening dress toward us It was like lantern picture thrown upon screen. There were only the pair of them. but the table was bril- liant with silver and gay with flowers, and the maid waited with the indefinable air of a good servant. tI certainly semed good house.
 She's going to let down the blindp whispered Rallies in high excitement.
 
 to. Mark down her necklace, Bunny, and invoice his stud. What a brute he looks. But I like the table. that's her show. She has the taste. but he must have money. See the festive picture over the sideboard? Looks to me like Jacques Sailard. But that silver table would be good enough for me"
 "Get on," said I. You're in a bath chair"
 But the whole squares at dinner! We should have the hall at our feet. It wouldn't take two twosl"
 with those blinds up and the kitchen underneath?
 He nodded, leaning forward In the chair, his hands upon the wraps about his legs.
 .sYou must be mad' said I, and got hack to my handles with the word, but : when tugged the chair ran light.
 ..Keep an eye on the rug came in whisper from the middle of the road. and there stood my invalid, his pale face in quiver of pure mischief, yet set with his insane resolve. Pm only going to see whether that woman has silver table,
 We don't want ft-'
 Tt won't take minute"
 Its madness, madness
 '"Then don't you wait!'
 It was like him to leave me like that, and this time I had taken him at his last word, had not my own given me an idea. Mad had called him, and mad l could declare him upon oath if neces- | sary. It was not as though the thing had happened far from home. They could learn all about us at the nearest mansions I referred them to Dr. Theo- bald. this was a MT. Maturin, one of his patients and 1 was his keeper, and he had never given me the slip before. l heard myself making these explana- | tions on the doorstep, and pointing to the deserted bath chair as the proof, while the pretty parlor maid ran for the ,,oIce. If would be a more serious mat . ter for me than for my charge. l should lose my place. No, he had never done l such a thing before, and l would answer 1 for 1t that he never should again. saw myself conducting Rallies back to his chair with a firm hand and stern tongue. I heard him thanking me in whispers on the way home It would he the first tight place l had ever got him out of, and was quite anxious Tor him to get into 1t, so sure was l or every 1 yoove Nv whole position had altered in the few seconds that it took me to fol- low this Illuminating train of ideas; IL was now so strong that l could watch Rallies without much anxiety. Ana ne was worth watching.
 He had stopped boldly but softly to the front door, and there he was still waiting, ready to ring if the door opened or face appeared in the area, and doubtless to protent that he had rung already. But he had not rang at all; and suddenly l saw his foot in the letter-box, his le1t hand on the lintel overhead. It was thrilling. even to a. hardened accompilce with an explanation up his sleeve' A tight grip with that left hand of his, as he leaned forward with all his weight upon those five fingers; u right arm stretched outward and upward to its last inch. and the base of the low proJecuns balcony was safely caught.
 I looked down and took breath. The maid was removing the crumbs in the lighted room, and the square was empty as before. What blessing 1t was the end of the seasoni Many of the houses remained in darkness. loked up again and Rallies was dragging his left leg over the balcony railing. In another moment he had disappeared through one Of the French windows which opened upon the balcony, and in yet another he had switched on the electric light within. This was bad enough for now l at least could zee everything he did; but the crowning folly was still to come. There was no noint in it: the mad thing was done Tor my benefit as knew at once and he ar- terward confessed, but the lunatlo re- appeared on the balcony, lowing ike mourtebank-in his crape mask
 set of with the empty chair but l came back could not desert old Ranies even when l would, but must try to ex-