The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-09-21
THE LADY AND THE GOBLET
By HENRY A. Herring

/ his chair there came another peal from
the ncnt entrance bell. A man In a
derby hat and carrying a handbag was
outside.
Mr. loft has sent me for the Nelson
goblet he said.
The porter was surprised. Got q
note he asked.
The guyn'r gave me this" said n,
man, handing card land the key"
Come along" said the porter,
shortly
. Barely had they entered the plate
room when the artist ran from behind
her easel into the outer hall.
Mrs. Jeckell! Mrs. Jeckell!" she
called out.
The porter's wife appeared.
"A man has gone into the plate room
with your husband I'm sure he is
thief Warn Mr.. Jeckell to get full au-
thority before he does what this man
. wants"
The wife rushed across 20 the plate
room and in a minute storm OF
the three emerged, two hot and fur.
ried. and the stranger, looking cool
and determined, carrying n bag IN one
hand and n gold cup in the other
The artist was In front of the door.
When she saw the man with the bag
and cup she gave a little gasp OF sur
prise, and wave OF color overspread
her face
The ma seemed equally astonlshed
You" he said at last
They're both thieves" whispered
Mrs, JcCkell to her husband. They're
actin in collision III shout for the
perlice while you keep EN-" And She
ran lr'm the room.
'YoI are in danger" said the arts,
rapidly In French. Put the cup in
your pocket. Give me the bag and
knock the porter down"
The man obeyed with the prompt.
tude OF a soldier. Leaving Mr.. Jeckell
PROSTATE on the floor they hurried
from the hail. At the street door was
Mrs, Jeckel wildly reckoning to a dis
tant policeman.
you go down there" said the artist.
"Goodby." She ran off in the opposite
direction, still holding the bag. and
dived down side street.
The next gathering of the Burglars
club proved the most important in its
history.
II was held at Marmaduke Percy's
Of
president Of the year. being in the
chair.
The secretary read the minutes, and
concluded: The business OF the eve.
ming is the payment of an entrance fee
the Nelson goblet Of the Fellmongers'
company-by Robert Legendre Craven,
fourth baron Horton, a cadet member
of the club"
Lord Horton entered, bowed. and
amid general applause placed on the !
table richly chased goblet of pure
gold.
My lords and gentlemen" he said,
Il thank you. In accordance with |
the usual custom of your club |
| will explain how have been |
able to fulfill my appointed duty. |
| received an intimation that the Mel. |
son goblet of the Fellmongers' COM
pany was my entrance fee, and at once |
took steps TO procure 1t. A list of tho |
company showed me the treasurer and |
plate-keeper was n MIR loft. The d. |
rectory informed me that he was a |
steamship owner and q contractor to |
the admiralty Inquiry there told me
that he was under suspicion of bribery
and corruption. played on this little
weakness Of his, and, If am not mis-
taken, frightened him into the paths |
of virtue for the rest of his days. In |
return he lent me the key of the plate
safe Of his company. In broad day
light proceeded for my booty. To my
surprise ! found that | was expected.
An agent hal been placed ON the spot
to warn the custodian OF the building
Of my intention. An alarm was raised
by the agent. This agent was lady
who die not know that she was be-
traying an old friend. A minute later
we were face to face. Instantly she
pierced through my disguise, and by
her presence of mind alone did | es-
cape.
My next step was to trace the lady.
| did not know she was in England, but
being here concluded that the foreign
office would have her address. / was
not mistaken. found my friend.
THE fame of your club had reached
me, ana the novelty of It's membership
appealed to me. felt that its risks
would give n pleasing zest to civilian
life hut did not count on recent de-
Gentlemen, you have
done me the honor to elect me as a
member OF your club. l have paid my
and now beg to tender
my resignation
mo! Mo-" resounded an all sides
Wait" smiled Horton. 1.-TWO years
ago this same lady | have mentioned
saved my life in Russia. I asked her
10 marry me, and she refused, because.
lbsurdly enough, she thought It would
spoil my career. We did not meet