The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-23

even you would nave spotted a practice l never omit upon certain occasions. l always pay visit to the drawing-room and fill my waistcoat pocket from the card tray. It Is an immense help in any little temporary impersonation. On Thurs day night sent up the card of a pow erful writer connected with a powerful paper. If Lord Ernest had known him in the flesh I should have been obliged to confess to a journalistic ruse. Luckily he didn't, and I had been sent by my editor to get the interview for next morn Ing. What could be better-for the alter native profession?'
 I inquired what the interview had brought forth.
 "Everything,'' said Rallies. Lord Ernest had been wanderer these twen- ty years Texas, Fiji, Australia l suspect ed him of wives and families in all three. Put his manners are a liberal educa- ton. He gave me some beautiful whisky and forgot all about his fad. He is strong and subtle but talked him off his guard. He is going to the kirkleathams tonight I saw the card stuck up. stuck some wax Into his key hole as he was switching off the lights"
 And with an eye upon the walters Raf- fes showed me a skeleton key newly twisted and filed but my share of the extra pint q am afraid no fair share) had made me dense. Looked from the key to RanleS WllH puChSitu ASl lSASou, for I happened to catch sight or II Tn the mirror behind him.
 ''The Dowager Lady Kirl1leatham, he whispered, 'has diamonds as big as beans and likes to have 'em on, and goes to bed early and happens to be in town!
 And now I saw.
 "she villain means to get them from her!f'
 And mean to get them from the vil- lain said Rallies, ''or, rather, your share and mine"
 win he consent to a partnershipT
 We shall have him at our mercy. He darent refuse
 Ernest,s rooms before midnight. There we were to lie in wait for the aristocratie rasss cal and If left all details to Rallies ana simply stood by in case of 8 rumpus 1 should be playing my part and earning my share. It was part that hau playea before. not always with good grace though there had never been any ques- ton about the share. But tonight I was nothing loath. had had just champagne enoueh-how Rallies knew my measure!- and I was ready and eager for anything. ! Indeed, I did not wish to wait Tor the coffee, which was to be especially strong by order of Rallies. But on that he in- sisted, and 1t was between 10 and Il when at last we were in our cab. .'It would be fatal to be too early,' he said as we drove "On the other hand, 1t would be dangerous to leave 1t too late. One must risk something. How I should | love to drive down Piccadilly and see the lightsl But unnecessary risks are another story"
 King Johns Mansions, as everybody knows are the oldest. the ugiiest and the | tallest block of flats in all London. But l they are built upon a more generous scale than has since become the rule and with less studious regard for the economy of space. We were about to drive into the spacious courtyard when the gatekeeper checked us in order to let another hanson drive out. It contained midde-aged man of the military type, like ourselves in evening dress That much I saw as his ] hansome crossed our bows, because I could not help seeing 1t, but I should not have given the incident second thought If 1t had not been for his extraordinary effect upon Rallies. In an instant he was out upon the curb paying the cabby, and in another he was leading me across the street away from the mansions.
 "Where on earth are you going?" naturally exclaimed.
 Into the park" said he. We are too early"
 His voice told me more than his words. It was strangely stern.
 ''Was that him--in the hansom?"
 "It was"
 | well, then, the coasts clear,' said comfortably. was for turning back then and there but Rallies forced me on with hand that hardened on my arm.
 "It was heater thing than I care about said he. This seat will do. No, the next ones further from a lamp-post. We will give him good half hour. and I don't want to talk"
 | We had been seated some minutes when l fp par Ia cy11fd ab mn t1f | heads to the stars. It was half-past 10 and sultry night. Eleven had struck before Rallies awoke from his sullen rev erie and recalled me from mine with a slap on the back Tn couple of minutes | we were in the lighted vestibule at the in- | ner end of the courtyard of King Johns Mansions.
 l "Just left Lord Ernest at Lady Kirk | leatham's said Rallies. Gave me his key and asked us to wait for him in his
 rooms. Will you send us up in the lift?''
 Tn small way I never knew old Raf | fes do anything better. There was not an | nstant's demur Lord Ernest Belvilles
 rooms were at the top of the building. l but we were in them as quickly as lift l could carry and pageboy conduct us. And | there was no need for the skeleton key after all; the boy opened the outer door | with one of his own, and switched on the | lights before leaving us.
 | Now that's interesting" said Rallies, | as soon as we were alone; they can come 1 in and clean when he Is out. What if he keeps his swag at the bank? By Jove. | that's an idea for him. I don't believe | he's getting rid of 1t; It's all lying low
 somewhere. if I'm not mistaken, and he's not fool"
 l While he spoke he was moving about | the sitting room, which was charmingly | furnished in the antique styles, and mak- | ing as many remarks though he were | an auctioneer's clerk with an inventory | to prepare and a day to do 1t in, instead | of a cracksman who might be surprised l in his crib at any moment.
 "Chippendale of sorts, eh, Bunny? Not 1 Rcnuine, of course, but where can you get genuine Chppendale now, and who | knows 1t when they see 1t? There's no | merit in mere antiquity. Yet the way people pose on the subject If things l handsome and useful. and good cabinet making, it's good enough for me" | Hadn't we better explore the whole place?'' I suggested nervously. He had not even bolted the outer door. Nor would he when I called his attention to the | omission.
 If Lord Ernest finds his rooms lock- ed up he'll raise Cain" said Raffles i've | must let him come In and lock up for | himself before we corner him. But he won't come yet; if he did 1t might be | awkward. for they'd tell him down below what I told them. A new staff comes on
 at midnight I discovered that the other -f~