The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-01-11
vi lined with thin coating of adj

60 ~
.,Ai lined with thin coating Of adj
hesive mud. We met no other way
farers on the deserted fiagstones and
were ourselves favored with very
hard stare from the constable of the
beat, who. however, touched his helmet
on recognizing my companion.
you sea I'm known to the police"
laughed Ra:Aes as we passed on. Poor
devils! They've got to keep their wealth
er eye open on Il night like this. A fog
may be bore to you and RE, Bunny,
but it's perfect godsend to the crimi-
nal classes, especially so late in their
season. Here we are, though, and I'm
hanged if the beggar isn't in bed and
asleep after ALL"
We had turned into Bond street and
had halted on the curb few yards
down on the right. Raffles was gaz-
ing up at some windows across the
road, windows barely discernible
through the mist and without the glim-
mer of a light to throw them out They
were over jewelers. shop, as l could
see by the peephole in the shop door
and the bright light burning within.
But the entire upper part" with the
private street door next the shop, was
black and blank as the sky itself.
Better give it up for tonight"
| urged. Surely the morning will be
time enough"
mot bit Of it." said Rallies. "I
have his key. Well surprise him.
Come along"
And, selling my right arm, he hurried
me across the road, opened the door
with his latchkey and in another mo-
ment had shut it swiftly but softly
behind us. We stood together in the
dark. Outside, measured step was
approaching. We had heard it through
the fog as we crossed the street Now,
as 1T drew nearer. my companions
fingers frightened ON my arm
1T may be the chap himself" he
whispered. Hes the devil Of night
bird. Not a sound. Bunny! Well star
tie the life out Of him. Ah!"
The measured step had passed with
out a pause. Raffies drew deep
breath. and his singular grip of me
, slowly relaxed
BE still; not sound" he contin-
! ued in the same whisper. well take a
rise out of him wherever he is. Slip off
your shoes and follow me'
Well, you may wonder at my doing
SO, but you can never have met A. j.
Raffies. Half his power lay in con-
/ ciliating trick of sinking the COM
mander in the leader. And it was i'm.
possible not to follow one who led
with such zest. You might question:
but you followed first. So now, when
heard him kick off his own shoes, !
did the same and was on the stairs at
his heels before realized what an ex.
traordinary way was this of approach.
ing stranger for money in the dead
of night. But obviously Raffles and
he We're on exceptional terms of In
timacy, and could not but infer that
they We're in the habit Of playing prac
teal jokes upon each other.
We CROPPED our way SO slowly up
stairs that / had time to make more
than one note before we reached the
top. The stair was uncarpeted. The
spread fingers of my right hand en-
countered nothing on the damp wall
Those Of my left trailed through {
dust that could be felt on the banis
tiers. An eerie sensation had been up
on me since we entered the house. l
increased with every step we climbed
What hermit were we going to startl
in his cell?
We came to q landing The banis
tiers led us to the left and to the lief
again. -Four steps more and we wer
on another and a longer landing, an,
suddenly match blazed from th
black. never heard it struck 1t
fash was binding. When my eye
became accustomed to the light Their
was Raffles holding up the match wit
one hand and shading it with the othe
between bare boards, stripped wall
and the open doors Of empty rooms.
where have you brought meg
cried. 1.-THE house is unoccupied!'
"Hush! Waltz" he whispered. and b
led the way into one of the empt
rooms. His match went out as W
crossed the threshold, and he struc
another without the slightest noise
Then he stood with his back to me
fumbling with something that l coul
not see. But when he threw the secon
match away there was some othe
d light in it's stead and slight smell Q
oil. stepped forward to look over hi
0 shoulder, but before could do so b
had turned and flashed tiny lanter
in my face.
l whats this?" gasped. what ro
ten trick are you going to play?"
: "It's played" he answered, with hi
}. quiet laugh.
y ION me?'
e "I'm afraid SO, Bunny"
Y 'Is there no one in the house, then!
: mo one but ourselves
$50 it was mere chaff about you
;. friend in Bond street who could let L
J, have that money!
I mot altogether. It's quite true tbs
Dandy is friend of mine."
"DanbyY
t 1.-THE jeweler underneath"