The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-25

No
Sin1ecure

Theobald. I got the tip from the post
men. who come up one way and down
the other. Now. follow me and look
outf'
There was indeed some necessity
for caution, for each half of the build
ing had its L-shaped we'll DR. piping
sheer to the base, the parspets so
low that one might easily have trip
ped over them into eternity. How
ever we we've soon upon the second
staircase. which opened on the roof
like the first And twenty minutes
of the next twenty-five we spent in
an admirable hanson. Swimming east.
Not much change in the old hole.
Bunny. More of these magic lantern
advertisements and absolutely
the worst bit of taste in town. though
it's saying something in that eques-
trian statue with the gilt stirrups and
fixings. Why don't they black tho
buffers boots and his horses hoofs
while they are about It?
More bieyclists, of course. That
was Just beginning, II you remember.
1t might have been useful to us.
And there's the old club get
ting put into a crate for the jubilee.
BY Jove, Bunny, we ought to be there.
| wouldn't lean forward in Piccadilly,
Olu GHdpt II you re seen II AhohShN
of. and we shall have to be jolly
careful at Kellner's. All, there
it Is! Did 1 tell you I was low
down stage Yankee at Kellner's?
You'd better be another while the
walters in the room.
We had the little room upstairs, and
on the very threshold l, even I, who
knew my Raffles of old. was taken
horribly aback. The table was laid for
three. l called his attention to it in
a whisper
"Why yepr' came through his nose.
Say, boy, the lady, she's not comm
but you leave that ta1 lie where It's.
II I'm liable to pay | guess I'll have
all there Is to IT.
/ have never been in America, and
the American public is the last on
earth that l desire to insult but
idom and information alike would have
imposed upon my inexperience. | had
to look at Raffles to make sure that
it was him who spoke. and | had my
own reasons for looking hard
who on earth was the LADY," I
inquired aghast at the first oppor-
tunity.
"She isn't on earth. They don't like
wasting this room on two. that's all.
Bunny-my Bunny here's to
bothl'
And we clinked glasses swimming
with the liquid gold OF Gutenberg, 1865;
but of the delights of that supper I can
scarcely trust myself to write. 1t was
no mere meal, it was no coarse orgy,
but a little feast for the fastidious
gods, not unworthy of Lucullus at
his worst. And |, who had bolted my
sSilly at Norwood Scrubbs and
frightened my belt in Holloway at
tic, 1t was I who sat down at this
ineffable repastl Where the courses
were few, but each triumph of its
kind it would be inyidious to single
out any one dish; but the Jambon de
Westphalie au champagne tempts me
sorely. And then the champagne that
We drank, not the quantity, but the
quality Well, 1t was Pol Roger, 81
and quite good enough for me; but
even So 1t was not more dry. nor did
1t sparkle more, than the merry rascal
who had dragged me thus far TO the
devil, but should lead me dancing
the rest OF the way. | was beginning
to tell him so. I had done my honest
best since my temperance In the
world, but the world had done its
worst by me. A further antithesis and
my intention were both upon my
tongue when the waiter with the
he was the bearer of more than that
great wine. bringing also card upon
a silver tray.
"Show him u.s." said Rafrles lacon-
ically.
And who is this?" [ cried when the
man was gone. Raffies reached across
the table and gripped my arm In his
wise. His eyes were steel points fixed
on mine.
Bunny, stand by me-" said he in
the old, irresistible voice-a voice
both stern and winning. Stand by
me. Bunny--lf there's row.
And there was time for nothing
more, the door flying open and
dapper person entering with a bow.
frock coat on his back, gold pince-
nez on his nose, a shiny hat In one
hand and a black bag In the other.
Good evening. gentlemen" said he,
at home and smiling
''Sit down" drawled Raffles In cas-
ual response. Say, let me introduce
you to Mr.. Ezra b. Martin OF Shlcaw-
go. Mr. Martin Is my future brother
in-law. This is Mr.. Robinson. Ezra,
manager to Sparks & Co. the celler-
brated joolers on egent street,
| pricked up my ears, but content
ed myself with nod ] altogether dis
new name and address.
Il figured on Miss Martin bein'
right here. too" continued Raffles,
but | regret to say she's not feelin'
so good We light out for Parrus on
the a. m. train tomorrer mornin
and she guessed she'd be too dead
Sorry to dlsappolnt you. Mr.. Robin
son, but youll see I'm advertisin'
your wares"
Raffes held out his right hand under
the electric light and diamond ring
flashed upon his little finger. | could
have sworn 1t was not there five min
utes before.
The tradesman had a disappointed
face, but for a moment It frightened
as he expatiated on the value Of that
ring and on the price his people had
accepted for It. l was invited to guess
the figure, but | shook a discreet
head. l have seldom been more tacs-
turn In my life.
"Forty-nve pounds" cried the jew
eler. land it would be cheap at so
guneas."
That's right" assented Raffles.
"That'd be dead cheap, / allow. But
then, my boy, you gotten ready cash,
and don't you forget It,"
/ do not dwell upon my own mystiff-
cation in all this. l merely pause to
state that | was kecnly enjoying that
very element. Nothing could have been
more typical of Raffles and the past.
1t was only my own attitude that was
changed.
II appeared that the mythical lady.
my sister, had just become engaged to
Raffles, who seem all anxiety to pin
her down with gifts OF price. could
not quite gather whose gift to whom
was the diamond ring. but it had evil
IDENTIFY been paid for, and I voyaged to
the moon. wondering when and how.
Was recnlled to this planet by a deluxe