The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-10-20
| | Raffles,
IN7za.lGhe Amateur
| X2SIl CraCkSf11an
J HnfX44sW " BY E. w. HoRNUNG
By E. W. HoRNUNc

ana every pLlcE tNuulllDA VI mt tAidt 1
could think Of on my way back to that
unsavory asylum So I dived into a
pawnbroker's shop, where | was a
stranger only upon my present errand.
and within the hour was airing a de-
cent if Anticipated suit, but little cor
rupted by the pawnbroker's moth. and
a new straw hat, on the top Of tram.
The address given in the advertise
ment was that Of a fiat AT Earrs Court,
which cost me cross country journey,
finishing with the district railway and
a seven minutes walk. 1t was now
past midday. and the tarry wood pave
meut was good to smell as I strobe UP
the Earl's Court road. 1t was great to
walk the civilized world again Here
were men with coats on their backs
and ladies in gloves. My only fear was
lest | might run up against one or
other whom / had known of old But
It was my lucky day. I felt it in my
bones was going to get this berth,
and sometimes I should be able to
smell the wood pavement on the old
boys errands Perhaps he would in
sist on skimming over it in his bath
chair with me behind
I felt quite nervous when reached
the flats. They were a small pile in
side street. and l pitied the doctor
whose plate | saw upon the palings
before the ground floor windows; he
must be in a very small way, |
thought. | rather pitied myself as we'll
| had INDUCED in visions of better
flats than these. There were no bal
comics; the porter was out of livery;
there was no lift, and my invalid on
the third floor. l trudged up. wishing
had never lived in Mount street, and
brushed against a detected individual
coming down \ full blooded young
fellow in u frock coat flung the right
door open at my summons.
Does Mr.. Maturin live hereT' l in
quired
That's right" said the full blooded
young man. grinning all over con-
vivial countcnance.
1--we come about his advertise
ment in the Daily Mail"
You're The thiry-ninth." cried the
blood. "That was the thirty eighth
you met upon the stairs, and the days
still young Excuse my staring at
you. Yes, you pass your prelim. and
can come inside: you're one Of the
few. We had most just after break
fast. but now the porters heading off
the worst cases. and that last chap
was the first for twenty minutes.
Come in here"
And l was ushered into an empty
room with = good bay window. which
enabled my fun blooded friend to in
speet me yet more critically in a good
light. This be did without the least
false delicacy. Then his questions be-
gan.
VARSITY MANI"
No"
"Public schoolf'
Yes"
(which one?"
l told him, and he sighed relief.
AT last You're the very first I've
not had to argue with as to what is
and what is not a public school, Ex-
pelled:"
NO" l said after a moments hest
tation; mo, l was not expelled. and l
hope you won't expel me if I ask a
question in my turn"
Certainly not"
Are you Mr.. Maturin's SOM
mo, my names Theobald You may
have seen it down below"
The doctor?" | said.
His Doctor" said Theobald, with a
satisfied eye. Mr. Maturin's doctor.
He is having a male nurse and attend
ant by my advice, and he wants a
gentleman if he can get one | rather
think he'll see you. though he's only
seen two or three all day There are
certain questions which he prefers
10 ask himself, and it's no good going
over the same ground twice So per-
haps | had better tell him about you
before We get any further"
And he withdrew to a room still
nearer the entrance. rs I could hear
for it was a very small fiat indeed
But now two doors were shut between