The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

- 1tttla as I'm likely to be trusted BY
a,,,-no,v else. Yet never in my life went
hack on a friend. will say that; other
wise. perhaps. i mightn't be In such a Z
hole tonight
..E-xactly. = said Rafdes. nodding to HIM
self as though in assent to some hidden
trasrf of thought; exactly what remen-
hsr.o Of YOU and I'll bet it's as true now
as IL wcs ten years ago. We don't alter,
BUNNY. We only develop suppose
neither YOU nor I was really altered
since>v YOU used to let. down that rope and
/ used to come I'D 1t hand over hand.
You would stick at nothing for a PAL
what:''
"At nothing in this world" I was
pleased to cry.
sNot even at criner said RaneA
smiling.
stopped to think, for hts tone had
changed, and felt sure he was chamns
me. Yet his eye seemed as much In
earnest as ever, and for my part was
in no mood for reservations
'.No. not even at that" I declared;
name your crime and I'm your man
He looked al me one moment In won
der and another moment In doubt. tnen
turned the matter or with shake Of his
head and the little cynical laugh that
was all his own.
You're a nice chap. Bunny! A real
{ desperate character-what? Suicide one
moment, any crime like the next!
What you want Is a drag. my boy, and
you did well to come to a decent law
abiding citizen with reputation to lose.
None the less We must have that money
to-night-by hook or crook.
Tonight, Raffies?"
."rhc sooner the better. Every hour
after 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning 10 an
hour of risk Let one OF those checks
get round to your own bank and you
and IT are o1shonored together. No, we
must raise the wind tonight and reopen
your account first thing tomorrow. And
1 rather think I know where the wind
can be raised
At o'clock IN the morning.
yes"
"But how-but where-at such an
s.From friend Of mine here In Bond
street."
Z He must be a very intimate friendl'
eIntimate's not the word. I have the
run Of his place and a latchkey all to
myself"
You would knock him up at this hour
Z of the night?"
IF he's in bed
"And it's essential that I should go. in
with your
Absolutely
Then I must. but I'm bound to say
don't like the idea. Rafies-'
''Do you prefer the aIternativs?" asked
my companion. with sneer. mo. hang
it, that's unfairp' he cried apologetically
in the same breath. IT quite understand.
It's beastly ordeal. But 1t would never
do for you to stay outside. I tell you
what. you shall have a peg before we
start-Just one. There's the whisky.
here's a siphon, and I'll be putting on an
overcoat while you help yourself"
Well, 1 daresay I did so with some
freedom. for this plan OF hss was not the
less distastefuI to me from It's apparent
inevitabiiity. 1 must own. however. that
it possessed fewer terrors before my glass
was empty Meanwhile Raffies rejoined
me. with a covert coat over his blazer.
and a soft felt hat set carelessly on the
curly head he shook with smile as
passed him the decanter.
when we come back, said he. Work
first. play afterward. Do you see what
day it is?" he added. tearing q Ieanet
from a Shakespearian calendar as
drained my glass; March 15 The 1des
of March. the Ides Of March. remember
Eh. Bunny. my boyR You won't forget
them. will you?''
And with a laugh, he threw some Goals
on the fire before turning down the gas
like a careful householder So We went
out together as the clock on the chimney
piece was striking two.
III.
Piccadilly was a trench OF raw. white
fog. trimmed with blurred street lamps
and lined with thin coating OF adhesive
mud We met no other wayfarers on the
deserted fiagstones and were ourselves
favored with very hard stare from the
constable OF the beat. who, however,
touched his helmet on recognizing my
companion.
You see. I'm known to the police"
laughed Raffies as we passed on Poor
devils. they'e got to keep their weather
eye open a night like thisl A fog
may be bore to you and me. Bunny
but it's perfect godsend to the criminal
classes. especially so late in the season
Here we are. though-and I'm hanged if
the beggar isn't In bed and asleep after
air"
We had turned into Bond street and
had halted on the curb few yards down
on the right Raffies was gazing up at
some windows across the road. windows
barely discernible through the mist. and
without the glimmer of a light to throw
them out. They were over jewelers.
shop. as could see by the peep hole in
the shop door and the bright light burn
ing within. But the entire upper part
with the private street door next the
shop. was black and blank as the sky
Itself,
Better give It I'D for tonight urged.
Surely. the morning viii be time
enoughr'
mot bit Of IT, said Rallies. at have
his key. Wen surprise him Come