The Washington herald., 1914-02-15

q
shall have your reward. Eve got thou
sand pounds worth IL rvei {
penn'oth- It's all in my pockets And
here's something else I found In this
locker; very decent port and some cigars.
meant for poor dear Danby's business
friends. Take a pull. and you shall light
up presently. Eve found a lavatory, toe,
and We must have a wash-and- brusf-
up before we go. for I'm as black -
your boot"
The iron curtain was down. hut NJ n.
sisted on raising it until 1 could peep
through the glass door on the other side
and see his handiwork in the shop be-
yond- Here two electric lights were left
burning all night long, and in their cold
white rays could at first see nothing
amiss i looked along an orderly lane,
an empty glass counter on my left, xIass
cupboards of untouched silver on my
right. and facing me the filmy black
eye of the peep-hole that shone like a
stage moon on the street The counter
had not been emptied by Raffies; its
contents were I'm the safe, which he had
given up at a glance; nor had he looked
at the silver, except to choose a CHAR
cite case for me- He had confined him
self entirely to the shop window. This
was In three compartments. each Sc
cured for the night by removable panels
with separate locks Rallies had removed
them a few hours before their time. and
the electric light shone on a corrugated
shutter bare as the ribs of an empty
carcass. Every article of value was
gone from the one place which was
Invisible from the little window in the
door; elsewhere all was as it had been
left overnight
Had ii in my head for long," said
Ranies' as We strolled through the streets
toward dawn. for all the world as
as though We were returning from q
dance. mo, Bunny. 1 had practically
given up the idea when you came along
on the very night and in the very plight
for IT! But here We are at the Albany,
and hope there's some fire left; for I
don't know how you feel, Bunny, but
for my part I'm as cold as Keats owl"
He could think of Keats on his way
from a felony! Rafies was a burglar. I
had helped him to commit one burglary.
therefore I was a burglar too. Yet
could stand and warm myself by his
fire. and watch him empty his pockets.
as though We had done nothing wonder
full or wicked!
My blood froze. My heart sickened. Ny
brain whirled. How I had liked this
viliaini How I had admired him! Nov
my liking and admiration must turn to
loathins and disgust. I waited for the
change. I lonsed to feel 1t in my heart.
Butt longed and waited in vain!
I saw that he was emptying his
pockets; the table spanked with their
hoard. Rings by the dozen, diamonds
by the score; bracelets, pendants,
aigrettes. necklaces; pearls. rubies. ame-
thysts. sapphires; and diamonds always.
diamonds in everything. flashing bayonets
Of light, dazzling me-blinding me-mak-
ing me disbelieve because 1 could no
longer forget. Last OF all came no gem,
indeed. but my own revolver from an
inner pocket. And that struck chord.
I suppose said something-my hand
flew out. can see Raffies now. as he
looked at me once more wi.s a high
arch over each csear eye. can see him
pick out the cartridges with his quiet.
cynical smile. beforahe would give me
my pistol back again.
You mayn't believe it. Bunny" said
he, but never carried a loaded ons
before"
but this thing you have done beforer'
said I hoarsely.
Before? My dear Bunny, you offend
me! Did it look like first attempt? or
course have done it before
"often?"
"welI-no. Not often. enough to de-
stroy the charm. at all events; never. as
matter Of fact, unless I'm cursedIy
hard up
How came you to begun T asked.
as curiosity ovcrcame mere wonder. and
a fascination for his career gradually
wove itself into my fascination for tho
man.
"Ah! that's a long story" said Raffics.
Its too long story to tell you now.
but I was in much the Same fix that
you were in tonight, and it was my
only way out only wonder if you'll like
the life as much as I doT'
Like itr' cried out Not 1! It's