The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-04-02


the Japanese fitted about the room silent
and nImble shadow Deep In n chair nanked bv tho
Indispensable tnbourct sat LaXton, already well
started with his first cigar
Welli said the visitor, breaking the long pause a.
the master stood erect and motIoned Ota to remove
the scattered sheets. Burch sank into seat opposite
him and carefully trimmed cigar before answering
They'll never get him" he replied quietly as II
settling some question that had awaited his decision
Inxton snorted, discreedy
Il don't see that at ALL" he said what meant
was whether you had any angle on how he managed
TO doit"
Pm not particularly Interested" returned the
master indfferenty. The warden Is scarcely likely
TO advertise the details of such things and method
Is OF no importance compared with the fact that he
got away and Is not going back
Men don't get out Of cells I'm Sing Sing every day.
persisted Laxton I'D certainly Ike to know how he
turned IT."
Possibly you'll have opportunity to make IN
quIrcs of West himself before long"
Possibly, Unless they catch him first"
"Thcy won't catch him"
How you say tbat?' demanded Laxton.
"The only point l wished to clear up was whether
not he had been able to max, adequate prcpara-
tIon. From the accounts gather that he had con-
sidcrlng his short and his having disappeared
Immediately. Granted fair chance to reach his
friends say with absolute certainty that he Will
never be recapturcd."
LaXton twisted uncaslly in his chair and frowncd
It very evident that LaNtons tendency to rather
bumptIous self assertion. usually carefully sup
pressed In the presence Of the master we'll the
fore tonight He at pains 10 conceal that the
opinion Of Burch made little impression upon him.
"Wba: I don't understand" he broke cut suddenly,
s how you picked up this idea that West Is the goods
rye gathered from things you've soId before that
you thought him pretty classy. And you drop 1t
off hand that they can't get him, just II nc
proposition way out of the ordinary. The hest thing
I heard of him doing this last business at
Sing Sing"
"He Is Of the ablcst IN the profession"
said Burch calmly eying LoXton with curious
flash Loxton bounced In his chair
cable" he cried. ''Why, he got sent away didn't
he? Can You call smart after he's been anded?"
"You wouldn't have talked thnt way about him three
years ngo." said tho master.
"wel talk about him that way now
The Ruthven Diamonds
do you remember the series of jewel operations
in tho winter Of 90G-thc Ruthven diamonds and the
masterpiece of Mrs Oranges rbIcsT'
Hes done time" said Laxton.
"Aud that summer raid along the North Shore.
where he visited six houses taking the pick OF eacb
played whist with host and read another lecture
mat alarms and burglar fastcnings, all In
night"
"Thcy landed him" said LaXton doGFcdly
The master smiled very slightly, a trhe cynically.
to himself while the sombre fash In his eyes played
upon his guest "Thnts your view is tT"
''Yes 1t Is" returned Lnxton, There's chance
for mistake You know that we'll enough Either he's
6 smart man or he isn't If he'd got away with II ia
take my hat off to him and give him the road But
be fell down. So he can't be a smart man and he's
not I'm my class. whatever he did before. Don't that
settle ~
"Quitc from your standpoint" said Burch still
smiling "You have outlined the usual professional
attitude with perfect clcarness. man vho-pardon
me II I reject your phrascs-has dropped time out of
his life through official Interference has thereby lost
caste and can no longer he regarded adept
"Put Il In any YOU prefer" said Laxton. recall
ing the conversational eraces which he had ardu-
ously acquired, but do YOU not agreci'
ITO be quite frank" said Burch after flicker of
amusement over HIS companions sudden return TO
precision 81 forced TO adopt some such prejudice
myself for general purposes II is usually true that
the man who has made serious mistake must be
looked upon less Of bunger.'
There you arc" cried Laxton trlumphuntly.
"Are YOU familiar With the circumstances attend
Ing Vests fall from professional sanding! suggested
the master smoothly. without noticing the outbreak
We'll rather" said Iaxton. all his assurance re-
turning 81 had the whole thing straight from the lad
who made the arrest. Thurston IT was, only he was
the street then Instead OF Laying along behind n
desk Job at Headquarters He dropped into Mollienns
night and handed out the whole Story to a little
crowd with"
"Ah" remarked Burch. "Thcn " you know the
whole story you fall to admit that the capture
hardly stands against West as an error"
'Thats Just what | do fail to admit" said Laxton,
leaning forward and pounding the of his chair Wig
orousy. That's Just what won't admit 1t was an
error II showed him up for what he was third class
II OF the planest fool things a ever did.
Really" said the master politely
Yes" said LaXton importantly. "Oh. I've got all
the facts. You wouldn't hold West high II you
knew what do"
Suppose you allow me to"
LaXton swclled vlslbly After all, there were some
things in which he could instruct this past master of
roguery, He held himself too cheaply. II should be
his, now 10 exhibit intimate knowledge OF tho craft
and incidents OF IFS history. Meanwhile he took
warning from the CLINT in Burchs eye, the curl OF his
lip. He lighted a fresh Coronation and adjusted him
self comfortably for extended discourse.