Middletown transcript., 1910-10-29
By FRANK Howell EVANS

Justify toll the firebell in the
turret, thus rousing the neigh
bors.
Oh, take a perch, said the
policeman. Sit down, he ex-
planned, impatiently.
Now, then, he continued, re-
moving his helmet and showing
q round, close-cropped head, sure
there amt no one else in the
'ouse?
Not a soul, groaned, the Bis.
hop, miserably.
That's all right, then. Ere,
what are them thingsH
The Bishop looked down at his
CATERS.
Oh, / always wear them. We
all do you know, he stammered,
wondering If a heavy book sud.
denly thrown would disable the
visitor.
Oh, do yerF Well, what are
yer when yer at 'omeP
I'm a bishop.
A bishop, are yer? I've never
met a bishop afore. A broad
grin stole over the policeman's
face. Then, me lord bishop,
where's the silverP
He leaned over and leered at
the Bishop, who returned the
gaze timidly till the horrid truth
dawned upon him.
Then you, he gasped, must be
q burglar, not a Policeman
Policeman, me elbow! was the
contemptuous reply. Els asleep
in the ditch with my old coat
spread over m and no 'elmet;
with a qusrtern O. special Scotch
inside i'm and somethin in it to
make i'm sleep.
Then why, asked the Bishop,
instincts of law and order prevail.
ing over terror-why are you
masquerading in his coat?
Why am | Tot?
I say why are you masquerad.
ing in his coat?
don'tknow nothin' about that
but I know as I've got is coat on
cause it suits me, seer And if
you carn't see I carn't 'elp yer.
Well, ! think it's a disgraceful
thing, your coming here dis
guised as q policeman and ex-
pecting me Toto
That's jest it. Wot I'm ex.
pectin yer to do is to 'elp me find
the silver; then l shall tie you up
nice and tidy with a bit Of and
kerchief in yer mouth. Arfter
which I shall 'op off, and if any
one sees me in the road they'll
say, Good evenin' constable; fine
night, amt itf and there We are.
Now, then, guy'nor, let's get to
work.
No! almost shouted the Bishop,
clutching the arms Of the chair;
| will not. / absolutely refuse.
Now, once again, will you please
goa
He folded his hands as if to
finally dismiss the subject.
The simplicity of the appeal
moved the burglar to derisive
laughter.
he picked up the lantern and
moved to the door.
But, said the Bishop, Mortified,
you don't think I'm going with
you to help you rob
I don't think-I know!
The burglar stepped up and
gripped him by the collar.
Now, then, you know the way
and I don't; so 'urry up!
From underneath his coat the
man extracted a green baize bag,
which he pushed into the Bis.
hops hands.
Urged by that dreadful grip,
the Bishop CROPPED his way into
the hall and turned to the right.
Dinin' room, whispered the
voice at his back. Ere, why
don't yer look where yer goinP
The bishop retorted sharply
that be had no wish to break his
neck.
Gettin' saucy. are yer9 Try
that. The butt of the revolver
descended sharply on the episcO.
pal head.
The Bishop made q frenzied
dash, and almost fell into the
dining room.
Quickly the burglar locked the
door, and. threatening his pris-
oner with death if he moved,
shone his bull's.eye round the
room with professional switness.
Old the sack. mate. be said ct
length.
! decline to be q party to your
disgracefuI proceedings.
Getting nasty are yer2 TqEI