The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-05-26
The Serene MIR. Thomas.


but he looked honest. He had u Glad
stone bag in his hand. and he carried
this over to the wardrobe and then re-
turned and sat down near me and cut
off the end Of cigar. When he had
the weed alight queried:
"well?'
"Warm evening"" he replied.
"But rather cold display of yours.
How do you manage to do it?"
II hope | don't intrude-I hope !
don't" he observed.
well. you are here without invita-
ton and without business. as far as
know. thought | engaged this room
for myself. Have you prior claim"
mot at all. In fact. have no room
in the house. but just walked up. II
you will permit me will order up
bottle Of cold champagne. am a bit
thirsty, and perhaps you would not OBJ
ject to half bottle?"
! nodded, and he walked over to the
bell, When boy came he gave the
order and paid for 1t. He opened the
bottle himself and served me with the
first glass. When he had drunk he
said: NJ s"%
~ have figured 1t out. In fact. ]
figured 1t out long ago. Life is worth
the living only in one way. That is
the serene way. II you can't live that
way, don't live at all"
But how are you going to escape
the troubles and worries and vexa-
tionsy asked.
by having plenty Of money. The
only thing that can befall the man
with plenty Of money is sickness. Sick
ness comes almost altogether through
carelessness. Use due care and sick
ness viii not come"
"But how to get plenty Of money!
l said. a
"Yes. that was the problem with me
for years. | gave the subject my most
earnest thought. ! had about arrived
at the conclusion that 1t was an utter
impossibility In my case when got
sudden inspiration. and. 10. the whole
mystery was solved. Nothing could be
easier" @~
Have you any objections to giving
that inspiration awayT'
"Not the slightest. Steal your men.
ey. Figure up about how much you
will be satisfied with and then steal
1t. Yes. steal 1t first and then get
away with 1t later on"
j looked at him to see IL he was jok.
ing. He was serene. but he had
spoken in earnest. While I looked at
him he looked over at the bag.
And about that sudden inspirationT r.
I asked. When do you propose to act
upon TT" va~
II acted about two hours ago" he
quietly replied. In that bag over
there Is 10000 belonging to my firm.
l have waited ten years to lay my
hands on It. The opportunity came at
closing time today. The first part Of
the problem Is solved. Now comes the
getting away to some other country"
Man. do you sit there and tell me
that you have just robbed your en-
ployers Of fortuneY'
"Tush. tush. Be calm. Be serene.
Not the slightest call to raise your
voice. Yes. the money Is there in the
bag. and I'm not worrying a bit about
1T. For an hour before coming In here
l was In q room down the hall. I
should not have intruded except there
are certain things I want and you can
help me TO do
"Of all the cheeky things ever
heard Of this takes the cake" I said
after a moment Of silence. ''If you
have really stolen the money you may
be arrested az any moment"
Not the slightest danger" he re-
piled. 1T will not BE- missed until
morning, and by that time I shall be
on my way across the channel. I do
not know how I shall make out living
among the Frenchmen. but shall be
serene. no matter what comes. see
that you have an American bag there.
] must ask you 20 exchange with me-"
I'll be hanged II ! do. don't pro
pose 20 get mixed up in this thing. I'm
wondering now why I don't ring the
bell and send for the police"
How foolish TO get excltedr' he said.
This bag Is not known and will not
get you into any trouble hut by carry.
Ing yours get more Of 40 American
look. have been practicIng for a year.
aud don't believe that one could tell
from my speech that was English. I
have the American chin whisker here.
and. With your permission. viii glue
Il on"
He took false goatee frsm his pocs.
ct and stepped 90 the mirror and at.
tacbcd Il. aud when be turned arnund
was ast0nlshcd at the change. Then
he tried on nv hat, which was made IN
New York, and hung up his In place
Of IT, Then be asked:
"wilI you kindly empty your iagY'
A movement " his body showed ne
The handle Of pistol In his hind poet.
ct. and complied stool there AMI
saw him change the bags. and saw
the money b. said he had stolen. Their
were ten packages Of when the
bag had been closed be said:
II ain Infinitely obligvd % yoa anu