The Washington herald., 1914-04-05
ICenlri-ht. lm4.l
SsT HAVE been robbed" said the
arch-robber.


inal gang in the world-though they
called it high crime, and spoke of the
pure motive, viz: TO place a Stuart
again upon the throne) sat frowning.
helpless, injured, fierce, supplicating by
turns. The supplication-with tinge
of command, as befitted even such em-
bryc royalty-was for Charles Captain.
Anna Stuart said:
you know you are the most trusted
officer in my army, Charles
She always spoke thus arrogantly of
her robber bands.
Your majesty is more than kind"
Il have work for you, Charles
Il shall do anything you may require. /"
''The robbery was committed here.
Listen"
She leaned her very square and beau
tiful chin on curiously small, soft and
feminine hand.
"One of our men is secretary to Great
Fish, an American settled over here, who
has opened large breweries. believe
they call the person Great Fish He
is millionaire. Also he has the finest
collection of old gold plate in the world.
When | say that. YOU will understand
why we placed one of the Hundreds and
Thousands as his. secretary. These pre-
liminary maneuvers, after all, are always
easy"
Il understand perfectly. Was the Sec
retary successful"
-'He reported success. The plate was
all missed, but no suspicion attached TO
the secretary, for we, as you know, al
ways supply a red herring to draw
across the trail Our red-herring men.
my officers tell me. are excellent. Then
tho plate was stolen from my secre-
tary! | have been robbed" said the
arch-robber.
And her face was merely charming
grievance in pink and white, with two
angry Goals in it. Captain asked:
You have been unable to trace it,"
Quite. The danger is, you perceive,
that the police will find it before we do"
q think shall begin this afternoon"
replied Mr. Captain.
Il knew that you would not hesitate"
She was very soft, dangerous, and al
Turing, never disdaining to use her nat
ural weapons in spite of the royal airs
she gave herself on occasion.
He consulted his watch, asked for a
few particulars, took respectful-and re-
gretful-lcavc. and unconcernedly de-
parted.
His destination was fiat in Totten-
ham Court road. and in the fiat he
found little quiet. middle-aged man,
insignificant save for his savagely ten
acious mouth and rapt eyes, drawing
plans abstrusely and idly upon sheet
of paper. This was Bourbon, the COM
mander of the Hundreds and Thousands
in England He looked his visitor over
gravely.
81 am in work" said the young man,
casting his hat and stick on the table, |
and himself into a chair.
The commanders gravity relaxed into
a smile. approving, yet still abstruse
Good" said he, Il am glad" Add
ing: You have done we'll lately; we
all think so"
Il have come" observed the young
man, after listening tolerantly to this
praise TO speak about
the Great Fish case"
Bourbon rrowned and asked quickly:
"Her majesty is angry that Card
Great Fish's secretary. who was in
trusted with this affair. as of course you
know-lost the plate after all"?
She is annoyed"
Captain stolled over to the window,
which looked on one of the busiest thor
oughfares in London, and became inter-
.sted in the passing throngs below. The
,ther considered him carefully and ap-
,raisingly, and found lean. tall, young
nan, very cleanly built, of quite aston
shing good looks, and possessed of
,aff1ing reticence..
Have you any plan of campaign?" he
Isked after an interval of silence.
Certainly" replied Mr.. Captain. turn
ng round. as this Card clever?' II
"He is one of our cleverest men,"
"He has a part of some delicacy to
lay"
HE can play it."
Captain sat down and said: II
Il understand he is quite in favor with
Great Fish. Yes? He of course opens ,
Il letters which come for his employer, 6
eing in an absolutely confidential posi-
ion? Yes? Great Fish has set Scot
and Yard looking for the plate? Yess S
lie is, of course, receiving now and !
gain communications from them? Yes9 a
What Card has to do in the event of a ] a
avorable communication is to commu-i
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