Omaha daily bee., 1905-05-14
RaffleS Story

and l don't suppose l ever shall
"Rut this much YOU have done before2'
said l hoarscy.
Before? My dear Bunny you oncnd me!
Did It look like a first attempt1 or course
j have done It before"
"Onen?"
''well-nol Not often enough to destroy
the charm at all events; never as a matter
OF fact, unless I'm cursedly hard up. Did
you hear about the Thlmbeby diamonds?
We'll, that was the last time-and poor
lot of paste they were. Then there was the
little business Of the Dormcr houseboat at
Henley last year. That was mine also
such as It was I've never brought on
really big coup yet; when do shall chuck
St uu."
Yes, | remembered both cases very we'll
To think that he was their author! 1t was
incredible, outrageous. inconceivable. Then
my eyes would fall upon the table, twink
ling and glittcrlng In n hundred places, and
incredulity was at an end.
How came you to begln?" I asked as
curiosity overcamo mere wonder, and a
fascination for his career gradually wove
itself into my fascination for the man.
"Ah! that's n long story said Raffles
at was in the colonies, when l was out
there playing cricket. It's too long n story
20 tell you now but / was in much the
same fix that you were in tonight. and It
was my only way out never meant 1t
for anything more; but I'd tasted blood.
and 1t was all over with me. Why should
! work when | could steal? Why settle
down to some humdrum, uncongenal billet.
when excitement, romance, danger and a
decent living were all going begging to-
gether? OF course it's very wrong, but
Wa can't all hg p1pTa1iGtg aud the 1istribl-
ton of wealth is very wrong TO begin with.
Besides, you're not at It all the time. I'm
sick of quoting Gilberts lines to myself.
but they're profoundly true. ! only wonder
If youll like the life as much as do"
Like it?" l cried out. Not /! It's no
life for me. once is enough"
You wouldn't give me a hand another
time?"
Don't ask me, Rafies. Don't ask me.
for Gods salieI'
yet you said you would do anything for
me! You asked me to name my crmel
But I 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 1
suppose I'm ungrateful and unreasonable,
and all that. l ought to let 1t end at this.
But you're the very man for NO. Bunny,
the-very-manl Just think how we got
through tonight. Not a scratch-not a
hitchl There's nothing very terrible in 1t,
you see there never would be while wo
worked together"
He 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
chimney piece and my burning head be-
tween my hands. Next instant still
heartier hand had fallen on my back.
"All right, my boy! You are quite right
and I'm worse than wrong. Ill never ask
it again Go If 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've stood by me tonight"
was round again, with my blood on fire.
"Ill do it again. l said. through my
teeth.
He shook his head. mot you," he said,
smiling quite good-humoredly on my insane
enthusiasm.
IT will" cried with an oath. "Tll lend
you a hand as often as you likel What
does it matter now2 I've been in It once.
I'll be in 1t again. I've gone to the devil,
anyhow. l can't go back and wouldn't IL
I could. Nothing matters another rapl
When you want me I'm your mani"
And that is how Raffles and Joined fell
onious forces on the Ides of March.
End of First Raffes story)