The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-09-21


| the front 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. '-';,,% = i 1.>
| The porter was surprised. "Got a
note?" he asked. .
The guvn'r gave me this said the
man, handing a 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 a
thief. w arm Mr.. Jeckell to get full au-
thority before he does what this man
wants."
The wife rushed across to the plate
room and in minute / a storm of
voices proceeded therefrom. Finally
the three emerged, two hot and fur
Tried, and the stranger, looking cool
and determined, carrying bag in one
hand and a gold cup, In the other.
The artist wa1 IN front of the door
When she saw fthe man with the bag
and cup she gave little gasp Of SUR
prise, and a wave OF color overspread
her face
/ The maa seemed equally astonished.
"You!" he said at last.
They're both thieves whispered
Mrs. Jeckell! to her husband. They're
actin in collision. I'll shout for the
perlice while you keep EN-" And she
ran from 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. Jeckell
PROSTATE on the floor they hurried
from the hall. At the street door was
Mrs. Jeckell wildly reckoning to a dis
tant policeman.
"You 60 down there" said the artist.
"Good-by." She ran of in the opposite
direction, still holding the bag, and
dived down side street;
T. The next gathering of the Burglars
club proved the most important in it's
history.
1t was held at Marmaduke Percy's
rooms, his grace of Dorchester, the
president of the year, being in the
! chair. 49,. 49,.
t. The secretary read the minutes, and
concluded 1.-THE business of the eve.
ming is the payment of an entrance fec
1.-The Nelson goblet of the Fellmongers'
,.eompany-by Robert Legendre Craven.
fourth baron Horton, cadet member
of the club
Lord Horton entered, bowed, and
amid general applause placed on the
table q richly chased goblet of pure
gold.
my lords and gentlemen" he said,
81 thank you. In accordance with
the usual custom Of your club
will explain how I have been
able to fulfill my appointed duty.
l received an intimation that the Nell
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 a
steamship owner and a contractor to
| the admiralty. Inquiry there told me
that he was under suspicion of bribery
and corruption. I played on this little
weakness of his, and; If am not mis-
taken, I 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 lady
ktraying 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 I 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 Twas
not mistaken. found my friend. ~;
1.-THE fame of your club had reached
me-. and; the novelty of its membership
appealed to me. l felt that its risks
would give a pleasing zest to civilian
/ life; but did not count on recent de.
! felopments. Gentlemen, you have
/ done me the honor to. elect me as, Il
/ member Of your club r. have paid n1y
/ subscription, and now; + beg TO- ,tendel
! my resignation ~ q @<s'> +: :, ~
I "No! MOI" resounded an all sides. i
/ wait" smiled Horton. s.'Twosyearr,
i ago this same lady II have mentioneet
saved my life. in, Russia. I asked he,
to marry me, and she refused, because
absurdly enough, she thought it " ould
i spoil MY career We did not ,~mee1
\ again till yesterday A week ago was W.
bffered the post of British resident s: sat
Kabul. It was a post after my own 81,
i heart, butsBingle- handed, Il should hav1