The San Francisco call., 1905-06-11
VI COULD WATCH OUR HOUSE
UNDER COVER OF A WALL. WHILE A rARGR
OF 5HRUB5 Oh EITHER SIDE
ADDED ADDITIONAL PROTEC TON

before 1 shouldn't have come. You told
me, nothing
He locked hard at me from under the
broken brim of battered billycock.
You're right he said at length. 1--WE
been too close. It's become second nature
with me when I've anything on. But
here's an end of it, Bunny. so far as
you're concerned. I'm going home now.
and / want you to follow me; but for
heavens sake keep your distance, and
don't speak to me again until / speak
to you. There-give me a start. And
he was of again, a decrepit vagabond,
with his hands in his pockets. his elbows
squared and frayed coat-tails swinging
raggedIy from side to side.
I followed him to the Finchley Road.
There he took an Atlas omnibus. and
I sat some rows behind him on the top.
but not far enough to escape the pest or
his vile tobacco. That he could carry
his character sketch to such a pitch-he
who would only smoke one brand ofrcigar-
cites, 1t was the last, least touch OF tpe
Unsuitable artist, and it charmed away
what modification there still remained In
me. Once more 1 felt the fascination OF
a comrade who was forever dazzling one
with fresh and unsuspected facet of his
character.
AS we neared Piccadilly 1 wondered
what he would do. Surely he was not
going into the Albany like that? No,
he took another omnibus to Sloane street,
L sitting behind him as before. At Sloane
street we changed again, and were pres
entity in the long lean artery of the
Kings road I was now all agog to know
our destination, nor was L kept many
more minutes in doubt. Raffies got down.
| followed. He crossed the road and dis
appeared up a dark turning. l pressed
after him, and was in time to see his
coat-tails as he plunged into still darker
tagged alley to the right He was hold
ing himself up and stepping out like a
young man once more; also, in some
subtle way, he already looked less dis
reputable But / alone was there 10 see
him; the alley was absolutely deserted
and desperately dark. At the farther end
he opened door with latch key, and 1T
was darker yet within.
Instinctively 1 drew back and heard him
chuckle. We could no longer see each
other.
..All right Bunny! There's no hanky-
ranzy this time. These are studios, my
friend, and I'm one of the lawful ten
ants.
Indeed. in another minute we were In
lofty room with skylight. easels. dressing
cupboard, platform and every other ad-
junct save the signs OF actual labor The
first thing / saw, as Raffies lit the gas.
was its reflection in his silk hat on the
pegs beside the rest of his normal gar
ments.
Looking for the works of art?" con-
tinued Raffles, lighting cigarette and
beginning TO divest himself of his rags
.I,m afraid you won't find any, but
there's the canvas I'm always going
TO make q start upon. I tell them I'm
looking high and low for my ideal
model I have the stove lit on principle
twice a week and look in and leave a
newspaper and a smell of Sullivans-
how good they are after shag. Mean
while I pay my rent and am good
tenant in every way: and it's a very
useful little pied-a-terre-theres no
saying how useful it might be at a
pinch. AS it is, the billycock comes In
and the topped SOtS oue oiAo A.ooONS
takes the slightest notice Of either. at
this time of night the chances are that
there's not soul In the building ex-
cept ourselves
.sYou never told me you went in fol
disguises," said 1. watching him as ht
eleansed the CRIME from his face ane
hands.
mo, Bunny. I've treated you yer,
shabbily all around. There was really
! no reason why I shouldn't have showr
, you this place a month ago. and ye
. there was no point in my doing so. ant
. circumstances are just conceivable il
, which 1t would have saited US boil
for you to be in genuine ignorance o
my whereabouts. I have something Il
J sleep on. as you perceive. in case o
, need, and. Of course. my name Is no
, Rafies In the Kings road. So yo'
/ will see that ono might bolt furthe
| and fare worse"
! Meanwhile you use the place as I
/ dressing-ro -roomr
/ '1t's my private pavilion" said Rafies
: 'sDisguises? In some cases they're hal
, the battle. and it's always pleasant t