, 1905-11-30


They'll be clearing away. Yes. hero
come their shadows. The drawing
room windows open on the lawn. Bun
ny. it's the psychological moment.
Where's that mask?"
L produced it with a hand whose
trembling l tried in vain to still Ind
could have died for Ra.ilcs when he
made no comment on what he could
not fail to notice. His owa hands
We're firm and cool as he adjusted my
mask for me and thcn his own.
BY Joye, old boy" he whispered
checrily, you look about the greatest
rutfian | ever saw, These mHSkS alone
will dow Il Niger il we meet one.
But I'm glad l remembered TO tell you
not to shave. You'll pass for White
chapel if the worst comes to the worst
and you don't forget to talk the lingo.
Better sulk like Il mule if you're not
sure of it and leave the dialogue to me:
but. please our stars, there will be no
need. Now, are you readyT'
quite"
Got YOU gaG?"
"YeS."
"Shooter?"
"YeS."
''Then follow me-"
In al instant we were over the wall.
in another OH the lawn behind the
house. There was no moon. The very
stars i'll their courses had yelled them
selves for our benefit. l crcpt at my
leaders heels to some French win
dows opening upon Il shallow vcran-
da. He pushed. They yielded.
Luck again" he whispered: moth
ing but luck. Now for a light"
And the light came!
\ good score of electric burners
glowcd rcd for the fraction of a sec
ond, then rained merciless White
beams into our blinded eyes. When
we found our sight. four revolvers COW
cred us, and between two of them the
colossal frame of Reuben RosenthalI
shook with n whcczy laughter from
head to foot.
GOOD evening. boys" he hiccougiel.
"Glad' to sec we at last. Shift foot or
finger. you on the left. though. and
you're n dead boy. l mean you you
grcascr."' lie roarcd out ut Rallies. II
know you. I've beer waitin' for you.
I've been watchin' you all this week.
Plucky smart o thought yersclf.
didn't you? One day Begin. next
time shammin' tight and next one o.
them old pals from Kimberley what
comes when I'm in. But you
left the same racks every day. you
bugGins. M the same tracks every
night all round the blessed premises"
"All right. g%uv'nor," drawled Rallies:
sa.Inn'f nynifn rs n fnt,. W.,
don't sweat to know 'ow you brung it
orr. Only don't o go for to shoot.
cos we int awmcd. s'help me Gord!'
Al. you're IL KNOWN one" said
Rosenthall, lingering his triggers. but
you've struck II knowin'cr."
-"Ho, yuss, we know all abaht thet,
,Set:a thief to ketch n thicf-ho. yuss."
My eyes had torn themselves from
the round black muzZles, from the nc
cursed diamonds that had been our
snare. the pasty pig face of the over
fed pugilist and the flaming checks
ana hook nose of I~tosenthall himself.
/ wns looking beyond them ut the door
way filled with %quivering silk and
plush, black faces. white cyeballs. wool
ly pates, but n sudden silence recalled
my attention to the millionaire. And
only his nose retained its color.
what dye mean?" he whispered.
with IL Eoarse oath. 'Spit it out, or,
by Christmas, I'll drill your
-Whort price tibet brikewatcr?"
draw1ed BATTLES coolly.
-Ehr~
Toseat1ia1f's revolvcrs were describ-
ing widening orbits.
"Whort price tibet brikawatcr-old
j. ID. By
"Where-whc-e did you get hold o.
that?" asked Roscntllall. with a rattle
in his thice neck meant for mirth.
You may wei, arst." says Rafffes.
its MI over the plice Were l come
from"
WHO can spread such rot:'
Il dunno" says Rallies; "arst the
gentleman on yer left. P'r'aps %
knows"
The gentleman on his left had turned
livid with emotion. Guilty conscience
V declared itself in palmer terms.
For Il INT his small eyes bulged
like the currants i'll the suet of his
face: the next he had pocketed his pis-
tolls on n professional instinct and was
upon US with his fists.
'Out o. the light-out o. the light!'
yelled ~ltosonthall in q frenzy.
He was too late. No so32cr had the