Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-09-17
Copyright. l9lA.)
ct HAVE been robbed" said the
arch-robber.

She (last descendant of that
unknown son of the Young Pretender,
md the head Of the Hundreds and Thou
sands. which was the nightiest Grim
nal 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, duplicating by
turns. The supplication-wth a tinge
of command, as behtted even such en-
bryo 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 l 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
rotary 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 |
the plate was stolen from my secre-
taryl | have been robbed" said the
arch-robber
And her face was merely a 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"
Il think | shall begin this afternoon"
replied Mr.. Captain.
y 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
few particulars, took respectful-and re-
gretful-leave, and unconcernedly de-
parted.
His destination was fiat in Totem
ham Court road, and in the fiat he
found little, quiet, mddle-aged man,
insignificant save for his savagey ten
acious mouth and rapt eyes; drawing
plans abstrusely and idly upon a sheet
OF paper This was Bourbon, the com
mander OF the Hundreds and Thousands
in England. He looked his visitor over
gravely
l am in work" said the young man,
casting his hat and stick on the table,
and himself into chair.
The commanders gravity relaxed into
smile, approving, yet still abstruse.
Good said he, Il am glad" Add
ing: You have done we'll lately. we
all think so"
i have come observed the Young
man, after listening tolerantly to this .
condescending praise TO speak about {
The Great Fish case"
Bourbon rrowned and asked quickly: ]
Her majesty is angry that Card
Great Fishs secretary, who was in /
trusted with this affair, as of course YOU
know-lost the plate after alp?
She is annoyed"
Captain stolled over 10 the window
which looked on one Of the busiest thor
oughtares in London, and became inter-
ested in the passing throngs below. The
other considered him carefully and ap-
praiSingly, and found lean, tall, young
man, very clearly built of quite aston
'shing good looks, and possessed of
battling reticence
Have you any plan of campaign2" he
asked after an interval of silence.
Certainly" replied Mr.. Captain. turn
ing round, rs this Card clever?" +
HE is one of our cleverest men"
He has part of some delicacy to
play
He can play it," :
Captain sat down and said
IT understand he is quite in favor with 6
Great Fish. Yes? He of course onens =
all letters which come for his EMPLOYER @
being in an absolutely confidential posi- +
tionr YesF Great Fish has set Scot-
land Yard looking for the platter Yes? 9
He is. of course, receiving now and
again communications from them2 Yes? a
What Card has to do in the event of a
favorable communication is to commu
l<SAr.Sy1Z