News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-12-13

I'm fairly on the rush." he painted
"having the very devil of time! Not
a word till / tell you all I've done.
settled my plan of campaign yesterday
at lunch. The first thing was to get in
with this man Craggs. You can't break
into place like the Metropolis it's got
to be done from the inside. Problem
one, how to get at the fellow. Only
one sort Of pretext would dot must
be something to do with this blessed
picture, so that 1 might see where he'd
got it and all that. Well, couldn't go
and ask to see it out of curiosity, and
I couldn't 60 as a second representa-
tive of the other old chap, and it was
thinking how l could go that made me
such bear at lunch. But | saw my
way before we got up. If could only
lay hold Of copy of the picture 1
might ask leave to go and compare it
with the original. So down 1 went to
Esher to find out If there was a copy
in existence and was at Broom Hall
for one hour and half yesterday aft
ernoon. There was no copy there, but
they must exist, for Sir Bernard him
self Qhere's copy thereD has allowed
a couple to be made since the picture
! has been in his possession. He hunt
Ell up tie painters addresses, and the
rest OF the evening l spent in hunting
up the painters themselves, but their
w0~k had been done ON commission.
One copy had gone out of the country,
and I'm still on the track of the 9th
en-"
Then you haven't seen Cragg3 VET"
"Seen him and made friends with
him, and, if possible, he's the funnier
old cuss of the two; but you should
study em both. l took the bull by
the horns this morning, went in and
lied like Ananias, and it was just
as well | did. The old ruffian sails
for Australia by tomorrow's boat
told him a man wanted to sell me a
copy of the celebrated Infanta Maria
Teresa of Velasquez; that I'd been
down to the supposed owner Of the
picture only to find that he had Just
sold it to him. You should have seen
his face when | told him that. He
grinned all round his wicked old head.
Did old Debenham admit the saleY
says he, and when l said he did he
chuckled to himself for about five
minutes. He was so pleased that he
did just what l hoped he would do,
he showed me the great picture-luck-
lily, it isn't by any means a large one
also the case he's got it in. It's an
iron map case, in which he brought
over the plans of his land in Brs-
bane. He wants to know who would
suspect it of containing an old mas
ter too? But he's had it fitted with
a new Chubb lock, and | managed to
take an interest in the key while he
was glOating over the canvas. l had
the wax III the palm Of my hand, and
| shall make my duplicate this after
noon"
Ratfles looked at his watch and
jumped up, saying he had given me
a minute too much.
by the way" he added, you've
got to dine with him at the Metro.
pole tonight"
az"
eyes. Don't look so scared Goth
of us are invited. l swore you were
dining With me- l accepted for us
both, but l shan't be there"
His clear eye was upon me, bright
with meaning and with mischief I
implOred him to tell me what his
meaning was.
You will dine in his private sitting
ROOM" said Raffies. at adjoins his
bedroom. You must keep him sitting
as long as possible, Bunny, and talk
ing all the timer
In flash | saw his plan.
You're going for the picture while
we're at dinner?"
Il am"
eff he hears your
"He shan't."
But if he doesr'
And l fairly trcmbled at the thought. |
"If he does" said Raffles, there VII
be a collision, that's all. Revolvc"
would be out of place in the -lCt"o- DC. |
Dut L snail certainly take lie pre- |
server"
But it's CHASTITY" l cried ''To SIT |
and talk to an utter stranger a-2d II |
know that you're at wOi,i in the net |
roomw
Two thousand apiece" said na4te
quietly.
Upon my soul, believe shall give
it awayw
Not YOU Bunny. l know you better |
than you know yourself
He put on his coat and his h2t.
What time have I to be there" ] |
asked him, with a groan.
Quarter to 8. There will be a tcle- |
gram from me saying l can't turn up, |
He's terror to talk. You'll have no |
difficulty in keeping the ball rolling. |