The San Francisco call., 1905-08-13
1T0* *Ck1CH.ATHIEF1

as though they had been run out of a
mold. And when We did open them-but
let Raffies speak.
He had deputed me to screw in the ends
Of the clubs, and to replace the latter in
the fender where we had found them.
When 1 had done the counterpane was
glittering with diamonds where 1t Was
not shimmering with pearls.
IF this isn't the tiara that Lady May
was married in. said Rallies, land that
disappeared out Of the room she changed
I'm, while IL rained confetti on the steps.
I'll present it to her instead Of the one
she lost. II was stupid TO keep
these old gold spoons. valuable as they
are; they made the difference In the
weight. Here we have probably
the Kenilworth diamonds. don't
know the history OF these pearls.
This looks like one family OF rtngs-left
on the basin stand, perhaps-alas, poor
lady! And that's the lot"
Our eyes met across the bed.
What's 1t all worth?" I asked
hoarsely.
impossible to say But more than all
We ever took in all our lives. That III
swear to-"
More than all
My tongue swelled with the thought
But it'll take some turning into cash.
old chapi'
''And-must 1t be a partnership I
asked, finding a lugubrious voice at
length.
Partnership be damnedP cried Raj
hes, heartily. Lets ge: out quicker
than we came In"
We pocketed the things between Us.
cotton wool and all, not because we want
ed the latter, but to remove all imme-
date traces OF our really meritoriouS
deed.
""The sinner won't dare to say a word
when he does find out" remarked Raj
fies OF Lord Ernest; ''but that's no rea-
son why he should find out before he
must. Everything's straight in here.
think; no, better leave the window open
as 1t was and the blind up. Now out with
the light. One peep at the other room
That's all right. too Out with the pass
age light, Bunny. while I open"
His words died away in whisper
key was fumbling at the lock outside.
"Out with tout with it!' whispered
Raffles in agony, and as I obeyed he
picked me of my feet and swung me
bodily but silently into the bedroom, just
as the outer door opened and a nasterful
step strode in.
The next five were horrible minutes. =
We heard the apostle OF Rational Drink
unlock one of the deep drawers in his an
tique sideboard. and sounds followed,
suspiciously like the splash Of spirits and
the steady stream from siphon- Never
thirst as assailed me at that moment.
nor do / believe that many tropical eX-
plorers have known its equal. But had
Raffies with me, and his hand was as
steady and as cool as the hand OF a
trained nurse. That I know because he
turned up the collar of my Overcoat for
me. for some reason, and buttoned 1t at
the throat 1 afterward found that he
had done the same to his own, but i did
not hear him doing It, The one thing
heard in the bedroom was a tiny metallic
clock, muff1ed and deadened in his over
coat pocket, and il not only removed my
last tremor but strung me to a higher
pitch of excitement than ever. Yet 1 had
no more conception of the game that
Raffies was deciding TO play, and that
was to play with him IN another minute
1t cannot have been longer before Lord
Ernest came into his bedroom. Heavens,
but my heart had not forgotten how 70
thump. We were standing near the door
and I could swear he touched me; then
his boots ereaked. there was a rattle In
the fendeI-and Raffies switched on the
light.
Lord Ernest Belville crouched In its
glare with one Indian club held by the
end, like footman with ssoien eottie'
A good-looking, weu-built, tron-gray
iron-iawed man; but a fool and a weak
ling at that moment, IL he had never
been either before.
Lord Ernest Belville," said Rafies,
'it's no use. This is loaded revolver,
and il you force me I shall use IL on
you as 1 would on any other desperats
criminal. I am here TO arrest you for
series of robberies at the Duke or
Dorchester's. Sir John Kenworthy's andA
other noblemen's and gentlemens
houses during the present season.
You'd better drop what you've got IN
your hand. It's empty"
Lord Ernest lifted the club an inch
or two. and with il his eyebrows-and
after AZ his staIwart frame as the club
crashed back into the fender. And he
stood at his full height, courteous
but ironic smile under the cropped
mustaehe; he looked what ne was,
criminal or not.
scotland Yard?" said he.
That's our affair. my lord"
81 didn't think they'd got IL IN them,
said Lord Ernest. Now recognize
YOU. You're my interviewer No,
didn't think any OF you fellows had got
all that in you. Come into the other
room and I'll show you something eisf~
Oh. keep me covered by all means. Bu
look at this.
doubled by reflection in the polished
mahogany, lay a coruscatinS cluster OF
nrecfous stones, that fell in festoons
about Lord Ernest's fingers as ne
handed them to Raff1es with scareely
shrug.
.srhe KirkIeatham diamonds. said
he Better add 'em to the bag
Rafies did so without smile; with
his overcoat buttoned up to hts chin.
his tall hat pressed down 10 MS eyes
and between the two his incisive tea
lures and his keen. stern glance he
looked the ideal detective or nction ana
the stage What 1 looked God knows,
but did my best TO glover ana show
NV teeth at his side. I had thrown
myself into the game, and II was oo-
viously a winning one.
..Wouldn't take share, / SUPPOSE
Lord Ernest said casually.
Rafres did not condescend to reply
I rolled back my lips like bull pup
..Then a drink. at least
My mouth watered, but Raffies shook
his head impatiently.
1--WE must be going, my lord, and you
will have TO come with u.s..
I wondered what in the world We
should do with him when we had got