The Washington herald., 1914-02-15

with his expression. even az spoke.
and In spite of his kindly tone and kind
Her use Of my old school nickname. His
next words showed me my mistake.
what boy it is for jumping to con-
illusions. I have my vices. Bunny. but
backing and filling is not one of them
Now. listen to me. You speak of an
other chance What do you mean? An
other chance at baccarat? No. my dear
chap. you've plunged enough. Do you
put yourself in my hands. or do you not?
Very well. then you plunge no more, and
1 undertake not to present my check.
Unfortunately. there are the other men;
and still more unfortunately, Bunny. I'm
as hard up at this moment as you are
yourself-'
1t was my turn TO stare at Raahes.
your" / vociferated. ''You hard up?
How am I to sit here and believe THAR"
did I refuse to believe 1t of your he
returned. smiling. II have nothing but
my wits TO live ion-absoluteiy nothing
else We're in the same boat. Bunny:
we'd better pull together"
Together I jumped at IT. 'Tn do
anything in this world for you, Rafles. %
L said. IF you really mean that you
won't give me away. Think of anything
you like, and TN do II"
Again I see him. leaning back in one Of
the luxurious chairs with which his room
was furnished. I see his indolent, ath-
letic figure. his pale. sharp. ciean-shaven
features; his curly black hair; his strong.
unscrupuious mouth And again I feel
the clear beam Of his wonderful eye, cold
and luminous as a star. shining into my
brain-sifting the very secrets Of my
heart.
81 wonder IL you mean all that" he
said at length. "Give me time to think"
He got UP. lit a fresh cigarette. and
fell to pacing the room once more. but
with a slower and more thoughtful step,
and for a much longer period than before.
Meanwhile clock on the chimneypiece
struck one. and one again for the half
hour. without a word between US.
Yet I not only kept my chair with pa
llciiNcs put aS4oh Co oh uOu6
equanimity in that half-hour. Insensibly
I had shifted my burden to the broad
shoulders OF this splendid friend. and my
thoughts wandered with my eyes as the
minutes passed.
I've been thinking of that night We
had the narrow squeak at school," he be-
gan. why do you START"
II was thinking Of it too"
He smiled. as though he had read my
thoughts.
well. you were the right sort of little
beggar then. Bunny; you didn't talk and
you didn't finch. You asked no questions
and you told no tales. I wonder IL you're
ike that now? You would stick at moth
ng for a pal-what?'
cat nothing in this world" 1 was
pleased to cry.
Not even at a crime?" said Raffies,
smiling.
mo. not even at that" declared.
name your crime. and I'm your man."
He looked at me one moment in won
Ter, and another moment in doubt; then
turned the matter OF with a shake Of his
was all his own.
You're nice chap, Bunny, A real
desperate character-what? Suicide one
moment. and any crime like the next
None the less We must have that money
tonight-by hook or crook"
Tonight, Rafies?'
THE sooner the better. Every hour
after 10 o'clock tomorrow morning is an
hour of risk. Let-ope of those checks
get round to your bank, and you and it
are dishonored together. No, we must
raise the wind tonight and reopen your
first thing tomorrow. And I
rather think 1 know where the wind can
be raised
AT o'clock in the morning."
Yes"
But how-but where-at such an
nour?"
From a friend Of mine here in Bond
street"
HE must be very intimate friend"
Intimate 10 not the word. have the
run of his place and latchkey all to my
SILT"
And it's essential that 1 should 20
in with your"
Absolutely"
Then I must; but I'm bound to say |
don't like the idea, Rallies"
do you prefer the alternative?" asked |
my companion. with sneer. mo. hang
It. that's unfair!" he cried alphabetically
In the same breath. But it would never
DO for you to stay outside. I tell YOU
what you shall have a peg before we
start-just one. There's the whisky, |
here's the syphon. and III be putting on |
IN overcoat while you help yourself"
Well. I daresay I did so with some
freedom, for this plan OF his was not the |
ess distasteful to me from its apparent |
I must own. however. that |
t possessed fewer terrors before my
glass was empty. Meanwhile Rafdes re-
oined me, with q covert coat over his |
blazer. and soft felt hat SET carelessly |
IN the curly head he shook with a ssfile l
Is I passed him the decanter
when we come back" said he work
irst. play afterward- Do you see what
lay it isT' he added. tearing a leafiet /
rom a Shakespearian calendar, as n
Trained my glass. March Is. The Ides
4 March, the Ides Of March, remember
rh Runny INV hoy? You WONT foroa.