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

wondering eyes.
Pack EN- in this repeated Raffles
the three things we want, and never
mind the boxes You can pack 'em In
cotton WOOL Then We'll ring for
string and sealing wax seal up the
lot right here. and you can take EN-
away in your grip Within three days
we'll have our remittance and mail
you the money, and you'll mail us this
darned box with my seal unbroken
ITS no use YOU loolSin' so sick. Mr..
Jooler. you won't trust us any, and
yet were goin to trust you some
Ring the bell, Ezra. and well see If
they've gotten any sealing wax and
string"
They had; and the thing was done.
The brakeman did not like It; the pre-
caution was absolutely unnecessary;
but since he was taking all his goods
away with him, the sold with the I'M
sold, his sentimental objections soon
fell to playground He packed necklet,
ring and star with his own hands in
cotton wool, and the cigarette box held
them so easily that at the last mo-
ment, when the box was closed and
the string ready. Raffles very nearly
added diamond bee brooch at G51 los.
This temptation, however, he ultimate
1y overeame, to the others chagrin.
The cigarette box was tied up. and the
string sealed, oddly enough, with the
diamond of the ring that had been
bought and paid for,
"Ill chance YOU having another ring
in the store the dead spit of NINE"
laughed Raffles as he relinquished the
box and it disappeared into the trades
man bag. And now, Mr. Robinson,
hope you will appreciate my true hos
pitality in not offering you anything
to drink while business was in pro-
gress. That's Chateau Margaux. sir,
and I judge it's what you'd call an
eighteen-carat article
In the cab which we took to the
vicinity of the fiat 7 was instantly
snubbed for asking questions which
the driver might easily overhear, and
took the repulse Just a little to heart.
I could make neither head nor tail
Of Raffles's dealings with the man
from Regent street and was naturally
inquisitive as to the meaning of II
all. But I held my tongue until we
had regained the fiat In the cautious
manner of our exit, and even there
until Raffles rallied me with a hand
on either shoulder and an old smile
up on his face.
You rabbit" said he why
couldn't you wait until we got home?"
were going to dor I retorted as of
yore.
Because your dear old phiz is still
worth its weight In Innocence. and be-
cause You never could act for nutsi
You looked as puzzled as the other
poor devil but you wouldn't If YOU
had known what my game really
was"
And pray what was itP''
That" said Raffles. and he smaked
the cigarette box down on the man.
telpiece. Tt was not tied; 1t was not
sealed. II flew open from the force
of the impact. And the diamond ring
that cost eos. the neellet for e9oO and
my flaming star Mt another e1Oo. all
three lay safe and snug in the jewel
ler's own cotton WOOL
Duplicate boxesr I cried
Duplicate boxes. my brainy Bun
n.y. One was already packed and
in my pocket. I don't know whether
YOU noticed me weighing the three
things together in my hand? know
that neither Of Won saw me change the
boxes, for I did 1t when 7 was near
est buying. the bee brooch at the end
and you were too puzzled and the
other Johnny too keen 1t was the
cheapest shot In the game. The dear
ones were sending old Theobald to
Southampton on a FOOLS errand yes
terday afternoon. and showing ones
own nose down Regent street in broad
daylight while he was gone: but some
things are worth paying for. and GER
tain risks one must ALWAYS ta'Se.' Nice
boxes. aren't they? 7 only wish they
contained a better cigarette. hut a
notorious brand was essential A box
of Sullivans would have brought me
to ''fe tomorrow
But they oushtn't to open it to-