The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

bottle OF wine and a cigar box with
which liberties had been taken. a rath-
black towel in the lavatory. a burnt
match here and there, and our finger
marks on the dusty banisters, not a
trace of our. visit did we leave.
Had 1t in my head for 1ong2" said
Raff1es, we strolled through the
streets toward dawn, for ali the world
as though we were returning from
dance. No, Bunny, never thought or
IL till ! saw that upper part empty
about month ago, and bought few
things in the shop TO get the lay OF the.
land. That reminds me that I never
paid for them; but, by Jove. I will to-
morrow, and il that isn't poetic justice,
what is?- One visit showed ne the pos
sibilities of the place. but second con-
vinced me of its impossibilities without
pal. So had practically given up
the idea, when you came along on the
very night and in the very plight for IT!
But here we are at the Albany, and
hope there's some fire left; for I don't
know how you feel Bunny. but for
my part I'm as cold as Keats owl"
He could think OF Keats on his way
from felony! He could banker for his
hreside like another,. Floodgates were
loosed within me, and the plain English
OF Our adventure rushed over me as
cold as ice. RaffleS was a burglar. I
had helped him TO commit one burg
larry. therefore 1 was a burglar too.
Yet could stand and warm myself by
his fire. and watch him empty his pock-
etcs, as though we had done nothing
wonderful or wicked
My blood froze. My heart sickened.
My brain whirled. How I had liked
this villaini How I had admired him!
Now my liking and admiration must
turn to loathing and disgust. I waited
for the change. I longed to feel it IN
my heart But longed and I waited
in vain.
1 saw that he was emptying his
pockets; the table sparkled with their
hoard. Rings by the dozen. diamonds
by the score, bracelets, pendants, aig-
rettes. necklaces. pearls, rubies. ame-
thysts, sapphires; and diamonds al
ways. diamonds in everything, flashing
bayonets of light. dazzling me-bIind-
ing me-making me disbelieve because
1 could no longer forget. Last Of all
came no gem, indeed, but my own re-
volver from an inner pocket And that
struck a chord suppose had some
thing-my hand flew out I can see
Raffies now, as he looked at me once
more with a high arch over each clear
eye I can see him pick out the car
tridges with his quiet. cynical smile.
before he would give me back my pistol
again.
You mayn't believe it, Bunny" said
he, but 1 never carried a loaded one
before On the whole 1 think il gives
one confidence Yet IL would be very
awkward il anything went wrong; one
might use il, and that's not the game
at ALL though / have often thought that
the murderer who has just done the
trick must have great sensations before
things get too hot for him. Don't look
so distressed. my dear chap. I've never
had those sensations, and 1 don't sup
pose / ever SHALL
But this much you have done be-
fore?" said / hoarsely.
Before? My dear Bunny. you offend
me. Did 1t look like a first attempt2
or course 1 have done it before"
"Often2'
"well-noi Not often enough TO de-
stroy the charm, at all events; never as
matter of fact. unless I'm eursedly
hard up. Did you hear about the Thin
bleby diamonds? Well, that was the
last time-and poor lot OF paste they
were Then there was the little busi-
ness of the Dormer house-boat at Hen
ley last year. That was mine also
such as it was I've never brought or
really big coup yet: when I do shall
chuck it up"
Yes, / remembered both cases very
we'll. To think that he was their au-
thor.- 1t was incredible. outrageous. In
conceivable Then my eyes would fall
upon. the table. twinkling and glitter
ing in a hundred places, and incredulity
was at end
How came you to begin?" I asked.
as curiosity overcame mere wonder,
and a fascination for mis- career gradu-
ally woye itself into my fascination for
the man.
''Ah. that's long story" said Raj
hes 1T was in the Colonies, when I
was out there playing cricket It's too
long a story TO tell you now, but
was in much the same fix that you were
in tonight, and il was my only way
out. / never meant IL for anything
more; but I'd tasted blood. and it was
all over with me. Why should work
when could steal? Why settle down
to some humdrum uncongenial billet,
when excitement. romance, danger and
a decent living were all going begging
together? OF course it's very wrong,
but we can't all be moralists, and the
distribution OF wealth is-<very wrong
to begin with. Besides. you're not at
it all the time. I'm sick Of quoting Gill
berts lines to myself. but they're pro-
foundly true. only wonder If you'll
like the life as mucn as do"
Like it," 1 cried out. Not Il It's
no life for me- Once is enough.
You wouldn't give me a hand an
other timer"
me- for Gods sake
yet you said you would do anything
for me. You asked me to name my
crimel But 1 knew at the time you
didn't mean it; you didn't go back on
me tonight. and that ought to satisfy
me- goodness knows. / suppose I'm
ungrateful and unreasonable. and all
that. 1 ought 10 let IL end at this. But
you're the very man for me- Bunny.
the-very-man, Just think how we
got through tonight. Not a scratch
not hitch. There's nothing very ter
rible in it, you see; there never would
.e while we worked together
He, was standing in front OF me with
a hand on either shoulder: he was smil-
ing as he knew so well how 10 smile
/ turned on my heel, planted my elbows
on the chimney piece and my burning
head between my hands. Next instant
a still heartier hand had fallen on my
back.
..All right, my boy. You are quite
right and I'm worse than wrong. I'll
never ask IL again. Go il you want 10,
and come gain about midday for the