The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-14
"The IdeS
March,"

burglary therefore | was a burglar.
too. Yet 1 could stand and warm my
self by his fire, and watch him empty
his pockets, as though we had done
nothing wonderful or Wicked
My blood froze Ny heart sickened.
My brain whirled How | had liked
this villainl How I had admired him.
Now my liking and admiration must
turn to loathing and disgust l wait
ed for the change. l longed to feel 1t
in my heart Butt longed and 1
waited in vain!
l saw that he was emptying his
pockets; the table sparkled with their
hoard. Rings by the dozen, diamonds
by the score, bracelets. pendants,
aigrettes, necklaces, pearls, rubies,
amethyists sapphires; and diamonds
always, diamonds in everything. flash
ing bayonets of light, dazzling me
binding me-making me disbelieve be-
cause l could no longer forget. Last
of all came no gem, indeed, but my
own revolver from an inner pocket.
And that struck a chord. | suppose
| had something-my hand flew out.
| can see Raffles now, as he looked at
me once more with high arch over
each clear eye. | can see him pick
out the cartridges with his quiet.
cynical smile, before he would give me
back my pistol again.
You maynt believe it. bunny"
said he but | never carried a loaded
one before. On the whole | think II
gives one confidence Yet it would
be very awkward if anything went
wrong, one might Use 1t, 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 | don't suppose I ever
shall"
But this much you have done be-
fore2' said ! hoarsely
Before? MY dear Bunny. you offend
mel Did it look like a first attempt?
OF course | have done 1t before
"Often?"
"well-no! Not often enough to de-
stroy the charm at all events; never
as a matter of fact unless I'm cursed
~ hard up. Did you hear about the
Thimbleby diamonds? Well, that was
the last time-and a poor lot of paste
they were. Then there was the little
business Of the Dormer house-boat at
Henley last year. That was mine
also-such as II WAS. I've never
brought off a really big coup yet;
when | do | shall chuck 1t up"
Yes, | remembered both cases very
well. To think that he was their au-
thorl It was incredible, outrageous. In
conceivable Then my eyes world fall
upon the table. twinkllng and glitter
ing In a hundred places. and incredul-
ity was at an end,
How came you to begin?' | asked,
a mo
and a fascination for his career grad
ually wove itself into my fascination
for the man.
''Ahl that's a long story" said Raj
fies. at was in the Colonies when
| was out there playing cricket. It's
too long a story to tell you no., but
was In much the same fix that you
were in tonight, and 1t was my only
way out | never meant /. for tiny
thing more but Id tasted blood. and
Ii was all over with me. Why should
| work when ! could steal Why set
tie down to some humdrum uncon-
genial billet. when excitement. ro-
nance. danger and a decent living
were all going begging together? OF
course, it s very wrong, bu. we can't
all be moralists, and the distribution
of wealth is very wrong to hegin with.
Besides you're not at il all the time.
m sick of quoting Gilbert's lines to
myself, but they're profoundly true.
l only wonder II you'll Ike the life as
much as ! do
Like it?' | cried out Not |! It's
no life for me. Once is enough
you wouldn't give me a hand an
other time?"
Don't ask me, Raffles. Don't ask
me, for Gods salke!''
yet you said you would do any
thing for me. You asked me to name
my crime! But ! knew at the time
you didn't mean IL; you didn't go
back on me tonight. and that ought
TO satisfy me- goodness knows. | sup
pose I'm ungrateful and unreasonable,
and all that. | ought to let 1t end at
this But you're the very man for me,
Bunny, the-Yery-manl just think
how we got through tonight. Not
scrateh-not hitch. There's nothing
very terrible In ii. you see; there
never would be while we worked to-
gether"
lie was standing in front of me
with a hand on either shoulder; he
was smiling as he knew so well how
to smile. | turned on my heel, planted
my elbows on the chlmney-piece and
my burning head between my hands
Next instant still heartier hand had
fallen on my back.
IAN right my boy You are quite
right and I'm worse than wrong. Ill
never ask it again. Go II YOU want to.
and come again about midday for the
cash There was no bargain but of
course I'll get you out Of your scrape
especially after the way you W stood
by me tonight"
was round again, with my blood
on fire.
I'm do It again" | said through
my teeth.
He shook his head. Not YOU" he
said. smiling quite goodhumofedly on
nv insane enthusiasm.
~ WILL" | cried with an oath. "I'll
lend you a hand as often as you llzei
What does II matter now? I've been
In It once. I'll be in 1t again. I've gone
TO the devil anyhow. I can't go back,
and wouldn't If I could. Nothing
matters another rap When you want
me I'm your man"
And that is how Raffles and | Joined
felonious forces on the Ides of March.
CrHE ENID