The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-06-15
The Burglary at
the Bishops
A CHRONICLE OF THE BURGLARS CLUB
By HENRY A. HERRING
copyright, 1905, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

"GeOrgiOWitch kassala, Musn, L.
Van, Khurd., Graves audience
"A very awkward time for calling,
said the bishop, consulting his watch
unnecessarily. Then, with a sigh:
ASK your mistress to postpone din
ner ten minutes
His lordship ambled to the examina-
ton room. A man in loose blue cas-
sock-like garb rose at his entrance
IL big-limbed, red bearded man, with
enormous eyebrows.
! From his capacious pocket he drew
cut bundle of papers. He abstract
ed one and handed it to the bishop.
1t was blue document from Scot
land Yard, informing all and sundry
that the bearer, GeorgiOwitch kassala.
e Christian priest, was authorized to
collect subscriptions for the Church of
St. Barnabas at Mush, in Khurdistan.
"Ah,' said the bishop. "My friend.
you shall not appeal to me in vsin.
We will speak again of this. You will,
of course, spend the night under my roof,
and now, if you will join us at sinner, I
shall be very pleased"
, The priests face broke into sgz!les.
1t was $40 when they entered the
drawing-room. my DEAR" said the
bishop, appeasing his hungry wife, ~
have brought visitor from Mush, in
Asia Minor Mr-er-Kassala-M
Dacre-my daughters. This is my
chaplain, Mr.. Jones, and this is our
friend, Mr.. Marmaduke Percy"
The bishop found his guest profound
i'm his pocketbook about Asiatic mat
ters
Later the conversation turned on
vestments and such matters. do You
know, your grace" said Mr.. Kassala
II have heard that you are the only
bishop with a pastoral staff. Is that
so?"
mo. It's the other way about I'm
the only bishop who hasn't one
alone share with the archbishops the
dignity of crozier. The old crozier
OF the see is now kept in our chapter
house. 1t was falling to bits, 50 last
year the ladies of the county pre-
sented me with new one. If you
like, will show it to you"
Five minutes later the chaplain re-
appeared, bringing long case with
him. This was duly opened, and Mr.
Kassala had the pleasure of inspect
ing the crozier. 1t was of ebony and
gold, richly jeweled. 1t was a work
of art we'll worth the encomiums be-
slowed upon it by the Asiatic
with your permission, your grace, -
he said, II should very much like to
make a water-color sketch of it in or
der to show to my archbishop, who is
deeply interested in such matters He
has very fine one himself. Would you
permit me?"
by all means" said the bishop.
Thank you. I will do it before
breakfast in the morning. I am an
early riser. I suppose l may find it
in this room?'
The bishop nodded, but Mr.. Percy
interviewed. "Allow me to take care
OF it over night. bishop. l don't think
you ought to leave such a valuable
article about"
The bishop smiled good-humoredly
AS you like he said. "Now shall we
Join the ladies?'
At II they all retired to rest, Mr.
Percy carefully carrying to his room
the bishop Of Bister's crozier.
The Rev. Arthur Jones, his lordship's
chaplain, was a light sleeper at best.
and tonight the excitement of Mr..
kassala's visit kept him particularly
wideawake. Suddenly his attention
was attracted by noise outside his
room. He got out Of bed and opened
Lis door quietly. Some one was stealth
lily walking along the corridor.
The figure passed window and the
moonlight fell upon Mr. Kassala. In
great wonderment Mr.. Jones followed
For two minutes Mr.. Kassala paused
in state Of indecision. Then he ad-
vanced to door and gently opened it
Mr.. Jones was paralyzed with horror
1t was the bishops bedroom. What
could Mr.. Kassala want there? Deter
mined to save his beloved chief, Mr.
Jones followed. AS he entered the
room there was an exclamation from
the bishop. Mr.. Jones turned involur.
tarily. AS he did so. Mr. Kassala col
.ided with him. The bishop sprang out
of bed and switched on the electric
light. "Mr. Kassala!" he exclaimed
"and Mr.. Jones! Pray, what is the
meaning of this?"
"A thousand pardons, your grace, >
said the Asiatic. II have mistaken the
room. wanted Mr.. Percy
At this moment the next door opened
and Mr.. Percy appeared.
whats the matter?' he asked.
'Thats what should like to know
said the prelate. "Mr. Kassala says
he is looking for you
Indeed? What fOr?"
"I-er-was wondering if you had 8
camel-hair paint brush?" said Mr.. Kas.
sala.
well, you needn't wonder any long
err. I haven't" Mr.. Percy replied.
And what do you want, Mr.. Jones?'
asked the bishop sternly
Nothing, my lord, nothing" said