The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-02-22
LIE PREMIER
p AS
No. 3 of the Series

altogether. Not note would | touch,
and my native caution came out also
in the way l divided the sovereisns
between all my pockets and packed
them up so that I shouldn't be like
the old woman of Banbury Cross. Well,
you think me too cautious still, but
was insanely cautious then And so
1t was that, just as l was ready to so.
whereas l might have been gone ten
minutes, there came u violent knock
ing at the outer door,
Bunny, it was the outer door of the
banking chamber! My candle must
have been seen! And there l stood,
with the grease running hot over my
fingers, in that grave of strong room!
'"There was only one thing to be done.
I must trust to the sound sleeping
of Ewbank upstairs, open the door
myself, knock the visitor down or
shoot him with the revolver l had been
new chum enough to buy before leav-
ing Melbourne and make dash for
that clump of trees and the doctors
mare. My mind was made up In an
strong room stairs, the knocking still
continuing, when second sound drove
me back. 1t was the sound of bare
feet coming along a corridor
My narrow stair was stone l tum-
bled down it with little noise and had
only to push open the iron door, for
had left the keys in the safe. AS 1
nd
head and thanked my gods that shut
every single door behind me- You see,
old chap, ones caution doesn't always
let one in.
"'Who's that knocking?' said Ew-
bank up above.
II could not make out the answer,
but it sounded to me like the irrele-
want supplication of a spent man.
What did hear plainly was the cock
ing of the bank revolver before the
bolts We're shot back, then totter-
ing step. hard, short, shallow breath
ing, and Ewbank's voice in horror:
"'N1y God! Good Lord! What's
happened to you? You're bleeding like
q pigy
"'Not now,' came with a grateful
sort of sigh.
But you have been! What's done
ft?'
'Bushrangers.'
6 Down the road?'
"'This and Whittfesea-tied to
tree-cock shots-left me-bleed to
DEATH
1.-THE weak voice failed and the bare
feet bolted. Now was my time-if the
poor devil had tainted But could not
be sure, and there / crorched down
below in the dark ut the half shut iron
door, not less spellbound than impris-
oned. 1t was just as we'll, for Ewbank
wasn't gone minute.
"'Drink this heard him say, and,
when the other spoke again, his voice
was stronger.
"'Now l begin to feel alive
Don't talk. Have another sip.
Thank you. l said bushrangers.
OF course, there are no such things
nowadays
"'What were they, then!'
Bank thieves. The one that had
the pot shots was the very brute
drove out of the bank at Coburg with
bullet in himY"
Il knew it.'
''Of course you did Bunny; so did I.
Gown in that strong room. But old
Ewbank didn't, and / thought he was
never going to speak again.
"'You're deliriol.s,' he says at last.
Who in blazes do you think you are?
The new manager
"'The new managers in bed and
asleep upstairs!
"sWhen did he arrive?'
.'This evening"
"'Call himself RafflesY
eyes
"'Well, I'm dashedv whispered the
real manager I thought it was just re-
venge, but now l see what it was. My
dear sir, the man upstairs is an i'm
postor-if he's upstairs still! He must
be one of the gang. He's going to rob
the bank-if he hasn't done so already!'
"If he hasn't done SO already NUT
tered Ewbank after him; If he's up
stairs still! By heaven, If he is I'm
sorry for himv
His tone was quiet enough, but
about the nastiest / ever heard l tell
you, Bunny, 1 was glad I'd brought
that revolver. 1t looked as though it
must be mine against his, muzzle to
muzZle.
Better have look down here first, >
said the new manager.
awhile he gets through his window?
No. no, he's not down here
It's easy to have look
Sunny, IL you ask me what was the
most thrilling moment Of my Infamous
career 1 say 1t was that moment.
There l stood at the bottom of those
narrow stone stairs, inside the strong
room, with the door a good foot open.
and l didn't know whether 1t would
creak or not. The light was coming
nearer-and didn't know! I had to
chance it. And it didn't creak bit.
It was far too solid and we'll hung, and