Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-09-02

Rosenthall. The house itself was slut
up. thanks to the outrageous libertine
next door, who, by driving away the
neighbors, had gone far toward deliv-
ering himself into our hands. Prac-
tically secure from surprise on that
side. we could watch our house under
cover of n wall just high enough to see
over. while fair margin OF shrubs in
either garden afforded us additional
protection Thus intrenched we had
stood an hour, watching pair OF light
cd bow windows with vague shadows
fitting continually across the blinds
and listening TO the drawing of corks,
the clink OF glasses and a gradual cres-
cendo of coarse voices within. Our
luck seemed to have deserted us. The
owner of the purple diamonds was Gin
ing at home and dining at undue
length. l thought it was dinner par
ty Raffies differed. In the end we
proved right. Wheels grated in the
drive, q carriage and pair stood at the
steps. there was a stampede from the
dining room. and the loud voices died
away. to burst forth presently from
the porch.
Let me make our position perfectly
clear. We were over the wall, at the
side Of the house, but a few feet from
the dining room windows. On our
right one angle of the building cut
the back lawn in two diagonally; on
our left another angle just permitted
us 10 see the iutiing steps and the wait
ing carriage. We saw Roscntaail come
out-saw the glimmer of his diamonds
before anything. Then came the pu
giIist, then lady with 4 head of hair
like bath sponge. then another, and
the party was complete.
Ratfles ducked and pulled me down
in great excitement.
1.-The ladies are going with them." he
whispered. This is great
THAT'S better STILL
"Thc Gardenia,' the millionaire had
bawled.
"And that's best of ALL" said RalilcS.
standing upright as hoofs and wheels
crunched through the gates and ratified
off at fine speed.
Now whIt?' l whispered. trembling
with excitement.
They'll be clearing away. Yes, here
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 q hand whose
trembling | tried in vain to still and
could have died for Rallies when he
made no comment on what he could
not fail to notice. His own hands
were firm and cool as he adjusted my
mask for me and then his own
by Jove. old boy" he whispered
cheerily. you look about the greatest
ruffian | ever saw. These masks alone
will down a niger if we meet one.
But I'm glad l remembered TO tell you
not TO shave. You'll pass for White
chapel il the worst comes to the worst
and you don't forget to talk the lingo.
Better sulk like II mule if you're not
sure of il and leave the dialogue To me:
but. please our stars, there will be no
need. Now, are you ready:"
quite"
"Got your gag!'
yes"
"Shooter?"
"YcS"
''Thcn follow me-"
In an instant we were over the wall,
in another on the lawn behind The
house. There was no moon. The very
stars in their courses had yelled them
selves for our benefit. l crept at my
leaders heels to some French Win
dows opening upon a shallow veran-
da. He pushed. They yielded.
Luck again." he whispered; moth
ing but luck. Now for light"
And the light came.
Il good score Of electric burners
glowed red for the fraction Of Il see
Ond, then rained merciless white
beams into our blinded eyes. When
we found our sight. four revolvers Gov
cred us, and between two of them the
colossal frame of Reuben Rosenthall
shook with a wheezy laughter from
head to foot.
Good evening, boys" he hiccoughed.
GLAD to see We at last Shift foot or
finger, you on the left, though, and
you're Il dead boy. i mean You, YOU
Sreaserr' he roared out at Rallies. Il
know you. I've been waitn' for you.
I've been watchin' you all this week.
Plucky smart you thought ycrscif.
didn't you? One day Begin, next
time shammin' tight and next one o
them old pals from Kimberley what
never comes when I'm in. But you
left the same tracks every day, you
buggins, and the same tracks every
night all round the blessed premises"
''All right, guv'nor," drawled Rallies;
don't excite. It's a fair cop We
don't sweat TO know low You brung it
orr. Only don't you 20 for to shoot.
COS we int awmed, s'hclp me Cord
''Ah, you're a KNOWN one" said
Rosenthall, lingering his triggers. but
you've struck a knowin'er"
''Ho, yuss, we know all abaLt tibet,
Set thief to ketch n thief-hO, yuss."
My eyes had torn themselves from
the round black muzZles. from the ac-