Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1912-10-10
CHAPTER VIII.
The PurIolned Cable.

The Purlolned Cable
George. having made his bargain
with conscience relative 20 the Yhlor-
des rug. slept the sleep OF the untrou-
bled, or the just. OF the man who had
nothing IN particular 10 get up for In
fact. after having drunk his breakfast
cocoa and eaten his buttered toast. be
evinced his satisfaction by turning his
face away from the attracting morn
ing light and passing OF into sleep
again. And thereby hangs this tale.
So much depended upon hts getting
his mail as It came IN that morning.
that Fate herself must have resisted
sturdily the desire 10 shake him by
the shoulder. Perhaps she would have
done so but for the serenity OF his
pose and the infantile smile that lin
gered for a while round his lips. Fate.
as with most OF US, has her sentiment
al lspses.
The man next door. having no con-
science 70 speak OF Indeed. he had de-
rallied her while passing his twenti-
eth meridianD was up betimes. He
had turned IN at four; at six he was
strolling about the deserted lounging-
room, watching the entrances. Il is
fncOnceivable how easily mail may be
purloined in q large hotel. There are
as many ways SIS points 20 the wind.
Ryanne chose the simplest He waited
for the mailbag 70 be emptied upon
the headpOrter's counter. NOnehal-
antly. but deity. while the porter
looked on, the adventurer ran through
the bulk lie found three letters and
a cable. the latter having been re-
ceived by Georges bankers the day
before and mailed directly 20 the ho-
tel. The porter had no suspicion that
a bold theft was being committed IN
der his very eyes. Moreover. circum-
stances prevented his ever learning
OF II. Ryanns stuffed the spoils into
G pocket.
If any one asks for me-" he said,
SAY that I shall be at my banker'A
the Anglo-Egyptian bank. at 10 O'Clock.
Yes. sir" replied the porter, as he
began 70 sort the rest OF the mall.
not forgetting to peruse the pOstals
Ryanne went out into the street.
walking rapidly into town. Mahomed-
El-Gebel shook the folds OF his cloak
and followed. The adventurer did not
slacken his gait till he reached shep-
heard's hotel. Upon the steps he
paused. Some English troops were
marching past. on the way to the rail-
way station; the usual number OF ma
tives were patrolling the sidewalks,
dangling strings Of imitation scarabs !;
9 caravan OF pack-camels, laden with
cotton, shuffled by haughtily: a blind
beggar sat on the curb in front.
munching q piece OF sugar cane.
Ryanne. assured that no one he knew
was about. proceeded into the writing
room, wholly deserted at this early
hour.
He sat down at a desk and opened
the cable. II contained exactly what
he expected. II was a call for ad.
vice In regard TO the rental of Mr.
George p. a. Jones mansion IN New
York and the temporary disposing OF
the loose valuables. Ryanne read 4
over a dozen times. with puckered
brow. and finally balled it fercely in
his fist Fool! He could not. at thai
moment. remember the most essen
tial point In the game. the name and
ONCE OF the agent to whom he must
this very morning send reply Hur
riedly he nshed out the letters; one
chance In a thousand He swore. buf
in relief. In the corner OF one Of tn,
letters he saw that for some unknown
reason the gods were still with him
Reynolds and Reynolds, estates, Broat
street; be remembered. He wrote on
reply On piece Of hotsl paper, IN
tsnding to copy II Oh at The cable
assA xAiA ssRls- sela.se tAa. rgaal