Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-16
Rafnes StoryTenh Rafnes Sory---Tenth Rafnes Story

a decent soul. and It's lucky for me got
a word with him before they trussed me up.
I've promised to set him up in life, and
will. but don't want him out of my sight
for the moment"
III you squared him last night" I ex-
claimed, "whY the blazes didn't he come to
me till the eleventh hour?"
"Ah. / knew he'd have to cut 1t fine,
though l hoped not quite so fine as all that.
But alls well that ends we'll, and I declare
don't feel so much the worse. shall be
sore about the gills for bit-and what do
yousthink7"
. He pointed to the long black ruler with
the bronze stain; 1t lay upon the foor. He
held out his hand for it and I gave 1t to
him.
THE same one gagged him with" said
Raffies. with his sIill Ehastly smile. He
was q bit Of an artist, old Corbucci, after
ALI"
Now let's hear how you fell into his
clutches" said l brlJxly, for 1 was as
ANXIOUS to hear as lie seemed to tell me,
only for my part could nave waited until
we were safe in the nat,
'T do want to set It off my chest, Bunny"
old Raffies admitted, land yet hardly can
tell you after all. I followed your friend
with the velvet eyes. followed him all the
way here. OF course l came UP to have a
good look at the house when he'd let him
self in. and damme II ha hadp't left the
door ATARI Who could reuist that? had
pushed it half open, and had Just one foot
on the nat when got such a crack on the
head as hope never TO get again. When
came to my wits they swere hauling me up
70 that ring-bolt by the hands, and old
corbuooi himself was bowling 10 me, but
how he got here don't know yet"
81 can tell you that" said /, and told
how I had seen the count for myself on
the pavement underneath our windows.
Moreover" continued, II saw him spot
you. and five minutes after N EarPs Court
road I was told he'd driven off In a cab.
He would see you following his man, drive
home ahead and catch you by having the
door left open in She way you describe"
WELL" said Rafties. che deserved to
catch me somehow, for de'd come from
Naples on purpose, ruler and all, and the
ring-bolts were ready fixed. and even this
house taken furnished for nothing else
He meant catching me before he'd done
and scoring me on IN exactly the same
way that I scored of him. only going one
better. of course. He told me so himself
sitting where I am sitting now. at
o'clock this morning. and smoking a mos
AbOtllnAble cigar lhtll We buleueQ GAel
since. II appears he sat twenty-four houri
when left him trussed up. but he sale
twelve would content him in my case
as there was certain death at the end o.
them, and I mightn't have life enough
left to appreciate my end IL he made 1
longer. But l wouldn't haven't truste,
him II he could have got the clock TO &
twice round without firing on the pistol
Ho explained the whole mechanism o
that 20 me. He had thought 1t all GU
on the vineyard told you about. and thel
he asked II I remembered what he hai
promised mo In the name OF the CamoTrs
only remembered some vague threats
but he was good enough TO give me .
many particulars OF that institution tina
I could make European reputation b
exposing the whole show II Il wasn't 10
my untortunRte resemblance 20 that IN
fernal rascal Rafaes. DO you think the
would know me AZ the yard. Bunny. afte
all this timer Upon my soul. I've a 500
mind 20 risk nl'
Ofrered no OpiniOn on the point Ho'