The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-09-08

Posed 10y kyre Belew
Rings by the dozen, diamonds by the
score.
~ hard up Did you hear about the
Thimbleby diamonds? Well, that was
the last time, and poor lot of paste
they were Then there was the little
business of the Dormer house boat at
Henley last year That was mine also.
such as it was I've never brought off
a really big coup yet When ! do
shall chuck it up"
Yes, remembered both cases very
we'll To think that he was their au-
thori 1t was Incredible, outrageous. in
conceivable Then my eyes would fail
upon the table. twinkling and glitter
ing in a hundred places, and incredu-
lily was at an end.
How came you to begin?" | asked
as curiosity overcame mere wonder
and 4 fascination for his career grad.
ually wove itself into my fascination
Ger the man.
"Ah, that's long story" said Raj
fes. 1T was in the colonies when
was out there playing cricket. It's too
long Il story to tell you now. but | was
in much the same fix that you We're in
tonight. and it was my only way out
l never meant it for anything more,
but I'd tasted blood, and it was all
over with me. Why should l work
when | could steal? Why settle down
| to some humdrum uncongenial billet
when excitement, romance, danger and
a decent living were all going begging
together? OF course it's very wrong
but we can't all be moralists. and the
distribution of wealth is very wrong
to begin with, Besides, you're not at
/ it all the time. I'm sick Of quoting Gill
bert's lines to myself, but they're pro-
foundry true. only wonder if you'll
like the life as much as do"
Like it," cried out Not II It's
no life for me! Once is enoughw
you wouldn't give me hand an.
other time!"
Don't ask me, Raffles. Don't ask
| me. for Gods sakew
"Yet you said you would do any
thing for me- You asked me to name
my crime. But | knew at the time
| you didn't mean it, You didn't go
back on me tonight, and that ought to
satisfy me, goodness knowsl 1 sup
pose I'm ungratefu and unreasonable
and all that l ought to let it end at
this. But you're the very man for me,
Bunny. the-very-man! Just think
bow we got through tonight Not a
scratch-not a hitch. There's nothing
very terrible in it, you see. There new
er would be while we 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. I turned on my heel and planted
my elbows on the chimney piece and
my burning head between my handsl
! Next instant a still heartier hand had
fallen on my back
"All right, my boy! You are quite
right, and I'm worse than wrong. I'll
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"
1 was round again with my blood
on fire.
"Tll do It again." said through my
teeth
He shook his head. Not you" he
said, smiling quite good humoredly on
my insane enthusiasm.
II WILL" | cried, with an oath. IN
lend you hand as often as you like.
What does it matter now? I've been
in it once I'll be in ii again. I've
gone to the devil anyhow | can't go
back and wouldn't if | could. Moth
ing matters another rap. When you
want me I'm your man."
And that is how Rallies and joined
felonious forces on the ides of March.