Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-09-23

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eInoon. There was no copy there, but
they must exist, for Sir Bernard him
self (there's copy thereD has allowed
couple TO be made since the picture
has been IN his possession. He hunt
ell up the painters addresses, and the
rest of the evening l spent in hunting
p the painters themselves, but their
.-S-k had been done on commission.
One copy had gone out OF the country.
md I'm still on the track of the 9TH
m
Then Won haven't seen Craggs yet:"
Seen him and made friends with
MIN, and. if possible. he's the funnier
Old cuSs of the two: but you should
study 'em both. / took the bull by
the horns this morning, went in and
lied like Ananias. and it was just
as well l did. The old ruffian sails
for Australia by tomorrows boat. 1
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 il 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 sale?'
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 ! hoped he would do.
he showed me the great picture-luck-
lily. it isn't by any means Il large one
also the case he's got il in. Its an
iron map case, in which he brought
over the plans of his land in Bris-
bane. He wants to know who would
suspect it of containing an old mas
ter too: But he's had il fitted with
a new Chubb lock, and L managed TO
take an interest i'll the key while he
was gloating over the canvas. l had
the wax i'll the palm of my hand, and
/ shall make my duplicate this after
noon"
Rallies 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"
~"
Yes. Don't look so scared. Both
of us are invited. / swore you were
dining with me. 1 accepted for us
BOTH but l shan't be there"
His clear eye was upon me, bright
with meaning and with mischief.
implored him to tell me what his
meaning was.
You will dine in his private sitting
ROOM said Rallies. 1T adjoins his
bedroom. You must keep him sitting
as long as possible, Bunny, and talk
ing all the timer
In IL flash l saw his plan.
You're going for the picture while
were at dinner"
Il am
IF he hears your
"He shan't."
"But if he doesw
And fairly trembled at the thought.
"If he does said Rallies, there will
he a collision, that's all Revolver
would be out of place in the Metropole.
but l shall certainly take a life pre-
server"
But it's CHASTITY" 1 cried. ITO sit
and talk to an utter stranger and to
know that you're at work in the next
ROOM
Two thousand apiece" said Raffies
quietly.
Upon my soul, believe / shall give
it away
Not you, Bunny. know you better
than you know yourself"
He put on his coat and his hat.
What time have | to be there?" l
asked him, with a groan.
Quarter To 3. There will be q tele-
gram from me saying can't turn up.
He's a terror to talk You'll have no
difficulty in keeping the ball rolling
But head him off his picture for all
you're worth. If he offers to show 1t
You. say You must go. He locked up
the case deliberately this afternoon, and
there's no earthly reason why he should
unlock it again in this hemisphere"
Where shall / find you when l get
away"
Il shall be down at Esther. 1 hope |
TO catch the 9:55.'
But surely | can see you again this |
l cried in a ferment, for |
bis hand was on the door. I'm not |
half coached up yet! l know l shall |
make a mess of it,
Not YOU" he said again, but / shall |
II 1 waste any more time. I've got |
deuce OF IL lot of rushing about to do |
yet. You won't find me at my rooms. |
Why not come down to Esher your
self by the last train? That's it-down |
you come with the latest news! Ill |
tell Oil Debenham to expect you. lie
shall give us both a bed. BY Joye. he |
won't be able to do us too well if he's
got his picture"
IF! l groaned as he nodded his
adieu. And he left me limp with ap-
prehensiOn. sick with fear, in a per-
fectly pitiable condition of pure stage
fright.
For, after all. l had only to act my
part Unless Rallies failed where he
never did fail, unless Rallies the neat
and noiseless was for once clumsy and
inept, all 1 had to do was indeed to
smile and smile and be a villain"