Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-28

Though the light was scanty, n was
obvious that here nothing was con.
cealed In Q corner stood half Q
dozen petrol tins. which showed that
these experienced burglars occasion.
ally used car. The little man went
up to them and tapped them dis.
consolately. This yielded nothiRg.
''Now then. Jim." he said, II know
you. Where ave you put them?" He
nodded to the door: Got EN- under
your bed. suppose"
81 assure you :"
"Oh :" no nodded to me-
ERE. you keep an eye on I'm"
The little man Strotted into what
must be a bedroom. while the black
mustache politely took the sack Oh
the figure and stood Il on the table.
He remarked to me: funny. sir.
what strange ideas men get into
their heads"
took NO notice Of him. for I was
curious to see what was happening.
I looked into the bedroom, where my
companion was striking matches and
swearing. Suddenly he gave . cry
Of excitement; ] followed him into
the bedroom: over the bed was q
curtained shelf. He had drawn the
curtain away: upon the SHELF stood
two waxen figures. apparently identi-
cal with the one We had brought
"Ah, the - exclaimed the little
.f,,s.ht~w - MIA ~ cha A~,,r>~
He came back into the sitting-room.
clasping his burden. which he placed
upon the table" Got you!" he re
marked to the black mustache. And
you shan't palm another dud figure
on me-" He pressed his thumb upoa
the waxen forehead. where II left .
black impression. I'm know II now.
Well. I got no time to knock your
cad or" he remarked to the black
mustached man. who was leaning
negligently against, the u,antelpiece
Now ="
He had no time to finish. for as he
turned to his faIthless accomplice.
the latter uttered n cry. and burst
of flame came out OF the crate. I
Jumped back in alright. for the IRE.
animated by wildness, was rushing
along the carpet. making for my legs
and the table.
-Gosh!" cried tho black mustached
man. We've get nothing 10 put II
out Here!' he said TO me. quick!
take itr' He showed the figure into
my arms. pushing Us out.
Blind with fear. e. the flames by
unknown causes rushed all over the
room, we ran to the stairs and down.
As we came out. heard behind me
the steps OF the black mustachcd
man. He was carrying something;
at once he disappeared into the dark.
ness.
We ran together in panic, about Q
hundred yards We should have
gone further, but the figure slipped
from my grasp. and with crash
scattered itself In fragments on the
pavement. The little man let out an
oath as be groveled among the
pieces: no gold! no diamonds! the
figure was empty.
For a moment we stood and stared
at the disappointing sight. unable to
understand what had happened.
Then I began to grasp: Don't you
see." said, "the FIRE was only q
trick to get us out He didn't mind
II he burnt the house. It's not his
own, suppose. While we were In
the bedroom. he undid one Of those
petrol tins and splashed II all over
the floor. He laid a trail OF petrol
and lit It. II I hadn't gone into the
bedroom after you :"
"oh, what's the good OF talking. "
said the little man. angrily. Els done
US. But what ! want to know Z.
Why. Cuv'nor! look 'ere!" He picked
up a large piece that was obviously
forehead. There's my thumb mark. "
smiled: mo. Don't you see that
Just before pushing the figure into
my arms. the figure we brought with
US, the empty one. he pressed bis
thumb where You had done on the
forehead. and he palmed upon me
the figure he had palmed on you be-
| forer'
There was a long silence. Then
the little man summed up: "Guv''
nor, In my profession you cant
choose your mates as you'd like to
I'm an engine cleaner, I am. and nc
nonsense about me. What I ought
to ave told you. and I'd forgot Il
myself. In that my mate was a con
Juror"
Another story of midnight ndven'
ture by w. l.. George. @The POiSOnet
| Girl,n will start In our next issue.