The leader., 1905-10-07
THE CHECK
A TALE OF AFENCE

IorgerleS, sat IN MS little 'front.' room
on the first floor of his crazy old house
in Brick Lane His charwoman had
been paid her few pence, and had gone
home hours ago. He kept no domestic;
he was able to help himself to his scanty
supper of stale bread and dry cheese.
While he consumed the delicate victuals
he was running over his account books.
There was large balance on the credit
side.
Yes, he was a wealthy man, far too
rich for that poyerty-stricken dwelling,
that parsimenious manner of life. But
the affectation Of poverty suited him;
naturally miserly, he sat there daily at
the receipt of custom, making money,
adding to his pile, and spending little
or nothing.
He totaled up his columns of figures
and chuckled at the result Roguery and
crime prospered with him.
Lovingly he closed his books. Glee-
fully he took candle-end, lighted it,
and retired to the back room, to bed and
to sleep-to dream, maybe, of his pile of
money in the bank, of the hard bargains
he had driven with thieves and burglars,
of the fortune so steadily amassed. He
slept with vicious smile on his thin
lips-slept as soundly as they who sleep
the sleep of-the just.
So he did not hear tap and a click
at the window, nor the stealthy lifting
of the sash. He did not mark the form
that stole softly into the chamber. He
knew nothing of the presence of an in
truder until light was Suddenly flashed
upon his face.
Then he opened his startled eyes, and
his hand moved mechanically towards
the pillow.
''Stow that cried the man who had
broken into the bedroom. Il know your
barker's under the pillow, but wantit
more than you do
The intruder rapidly removed re-
volver from beneath the pillow
The eyes of the fence expressed in
tense astonishment. why, Darby!" he
cried, in tones of surprise, whatever are
you doing here?"
"I'm here to make a bit" announced
Darby Bagster, the burglar.
ITO make bit out of your old IA
ther?" The receiver was more aston
ished than ever. He was even a little
amused.
YES" repeated Darby. ''You were
my father in this line of business. You
taught me all know. You made me a
thief and burglar have seven con-
victions to put to your account. l came
out of stretch this morning. Tonight
want money"
And where are you going to get it,
Darby?"
"Here!"
Israels positively cackled. "You are
very stupid fellow, Darby. You can't
blame me for your convictions.
taught you your trade, true; but you
must have been a bungler, Darby, or
you would not have been caught so
often"
''I'm not going to bungle any more''
But you haven't come here to rob?"
'I'm here for money"
Then you are making mess of it
again, my Darby boy! You know
never keep a penny on the premises"
81 know that. l don't suppose there
is half-a-quid's worth of anything in the
house."
Then whatever made you break in
here. It's the funniest job ever
heard!" The old Jew chuckled and
spluttered. The situation was so ridicu-
lous.
But the burglar was thoroughly calm.
"If can't have cash here he said, 81
can have moneys worth. You can write
me out a check"
Israels pondered moment Then he
said: "If you want pound to set you
going, can give you check for that. |
wouldn't desert an old friend"
"You wouldn't desert one you have
led to ruin. You wouldn't desert pupil.
You would be true to man whose body
you have condemned to prison and
whose soul you have doomed! Very
well, give me check"
The Jew glanced curiously at his
strange visitor. The mans manner was
peculiar. How much do you want,
Darby? I'll put you on your legs again.
Two pounds?"
1.-TWO thousand" said the burglar.
1.-TWO thousand? You're mad!''
Write me out a check for two thou
sand, or I'll shoot you like dog!'
81 haven't got two thousand in the
bank"
You lie. Write me check for two
thousand, or I'll rob Ellington of a
customer!"
The fence felt perpIexed Then an
evil smile spread over his sallow face
"If give you check for two thou
sand," he cried, what good is it, when
there isn't two hundred in the bank?'
81 know better. You have ten thou
sand there if you have penny, you
blood-sucker!
And you want two thousand?"
Il want it, and I'll have it."
"And if give it to you, you will leave
me like gentleman ?''
Give me the paper and I'll co.
The wicked old scoundreI grinned
again. I'll give it you for old times
sake" he said.
Then he whispered to himself, with a
flash of internal cunning: 'I'll give him
the. check and stop it at the bank! oh,
these men are strong and brutal and
ready for any crime, but they are fools.
fools, fools! Fancy this beast of a
Darby not knowing that can stop the
check as easily as can write it!,'
Then he said aloud: sI'll write the
check"
He did so. He sat at his table and
scribbled out the order on the bank for
a couple of thousand pounds.
There it is, my son, and you have
robbed your poor old father of a for
tune"
Il have, said the other, coolly folding
the paper and placing it in his pocket.
Now, you unmitigated old villain, say
your last prayers on this earth, for in
another moment you die!"