Sharp County record., 1906-09-28

derby hat and carrying handbag Was
outside.
"Mr Toft has sent me for the Nelson
goblet" he said.
The porter was surprised. GOI
note?" he asked.
THE guvn'r gave me this" said the
man, handing a card, "and the key
Come along" said the porter,
shortly.
Barely had they entered the plate
room when the artist ran from behlhu
her easel into the outer hail.
Mrs. Jecken! Mrs. Jeckell!" she
called out.
The porter's wife appeared.
"A man has gone into the plate room
with your husband. I'm sure ne Is
thief, Warn Mr.. Jeckell to get full au-
thority before he does what this man
wants"
The wife rushed across to the plate
room and in a minute storm oL
voices proceeded therefrom. Flnauy
the three emerged two hot and n''r-
ried. and the stranger, looking cool
and determined, carrying a bag IN one
hand and a gold cup in the other
The artist was in front Of the door.
When she saw the man with the Dag
and cup she gave little gasp OF sur
prise, and a wave of color oVerspreau
her face.
The man seemed equally astonished.
YOU" he said at last.
They're both thieves" whispered
Mrs. Jeckell to her husband. They're
actin in collision. III shout for the
perlice while you keep EN-" And she
ran frGm the room.
You are in danger" said the artist
rapidly in French. Put the cup IN
your pocket. Give me the bag and
knock the porter down.
The man obeyed with the prompti-
tude Of a soldier. Leaving Mr.. Jeckel
PROSTATE on the floor they hurried
from the hall. At the street door was
Mrs. Jeckell wildly beckoning to dis
tant policeman.
you go down there" said the artist.
"Good-by." She ran off in the opposite
direction, still holding the bag, and
dived down a side street.
The next gathering of the Burglars
club proved the most important in its
history.
1t was held at Marmaduke Percy'S
rooms, his grace of Dorchester, the
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, 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,
'I thank you. In accordance with
the usual custom of your club
| will explain how | have been
able to fulfill my appointed duty
I received an intimation that the Mel.
son goblet of the FellmOngers' COM
pany was my entrance fee, and at once
took steps to procure it. A list of the
company showed me the treasurer and
plate-keeper was Mr.. loft The di.
rectory informed me that he was
steamship owner and a contractor tn
the admiralty. Inquiry there told me
that ne 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 had 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 a lady
who did 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 dSu | 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, and tle novelty of its membership
appealed to me. felt that its risks
would give a pleasing zest to civilian
life but did not count on recent de.
velopments. Gentlemen, you have
done me the honor to elect me as a
member Of your club. have paid nv
subscription, and now beg to tender
my resignation
"No! Mo-" resounded an all sides
wait" smiled Horton. Two wear,
ago this same lady ! have mentioned
saved my life in Russia. | asked her
to marry me, and she refused, because
absurdly enough, she thought it would