The San Francisco call., 1905-06-11

hear that challenge, Bunny, and !, for
one. must take it up. L was only sorry I
couldn't get on my hind legs and say so
then and there"
WELL" I said. 'I don't sec the neces-
sity as things are with us; but, of
course. I'm your man."
My tone may have been half-hearted. L
did my best to make It otherwise. But It
was barely month since our Bond street
exploit. and we certainly could have af-
forded TO behave ourselves for some time
TO come. We had been getting along so
nicely; by his advice I had scribbled
thing or two; inspired by Raffes, had
even done an article on our own jewel
robbery; and for the moment 1 was quite
satisfied with this sort of adventure. 1
thought we ought to know when we were
well off, and could see no point in our
running fresh risks before we were
obliged. On the other hand, I was anx-
ious not to show the least disposition to
break the pledge that l had given a
month ago. But it was not on my man.
ifest disinclination that Raf1es fastened.
Necessity, my dear Bunny? Does
the writer only write when the wolf is
for bread alone? Must you and 1 be
driven to crime like Tom of Bow and
Dick of Whitechapel? You pain me.
my dear chap; you needn't laugh, be-
cause you do. Art for arts sake is
vile catchword, but 1 confess it appeals
to me. In this case my motives are
absolutely pure, for 1 doubt if we shall
ever be able to dispose of such pecu-
liar stones But IL l don't have a try
for them-after tonight shall never
be able to hold UP my head again"
His eyes twinkled, but it glittered,
too.
I'VE shall nave our work cut out"
was all 1 said.
And do you suppose I should be
keen on It if we hadn't?" cried Rafnes.
My dear fellow. 1 would rob ST. Paul's
Cathedral If / could. but ] could no
more scoop a till when the shop walker
wasn't looking than l could bag the
apples out of an old woman's basket.
Even that little business last month
was a sordid affair. but it was neces-
sary and think it's strategy redeemed
it TO some extent. Now, there's
some credit, and more sport, in going
guard against you The Bank of
England. for example. is an ideal
crib; lut that would need half
dozen OF us with years to give to the
job; and meanwhile Reuben Rosen-
thall is high enough game for you and me-
We know he's armed. We know how
Billy Purvis can fight. It'll be no soft
thing, grant you. But what of that. my
good Bunny-what of that? A mans
reach must exceed his grasp, dear boy,
or what the dickens is a heaven for?'
Il would rather we didn't exceed ours
just yet / answered, laughing, for his
spirit was irresistible. and the plan was
growing upon me, despite my qualms.
Trust me fo- that" was his reply; "I'll
see you through. After all, / expect, to
find that the difficulties are nearly all on
the surface. These fellows both drink
like the devil, and that should simplify
matters considerably But we shall see,
and we must take our time. There will
probably turn out to be dozen different
ways in which the thing might be done.
and we shall have to choose between
them. 1t will mean watching the house
for at least week In any case; it may
mean lots of other things that will take
much longer; but give me week and
will tell you more. That's to say if you're
really on?''
"Of course / am" / replied indig-
nantly. But why should 1 give you
week? Why shouldn't we watch the
house together"
Because two eyes are as good as
four and take up less room. Never
hunt in couples unless you're obliged.
But don't you look offended. Bunny;
there'll be plenty for you to do when
the time comes. that / promise you.
You shall have your share Of the fun.
never fear, and purple diamond all
to yourself-if we're lucky"
On the whole. however. this conver-
sation left me less than lukewarm and
I still remember the depression which
came upon me when Rafies was gone
/ saw the folly of the enterprise to
which I had committed myself-the
sheer. gratuitous. unnecessary folly Of