Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-26

lay figure. Then we put EN- into the
sacks which we'd brought with IN.
because you never know. and Oh We
goes. each our own way. Like that.
when that cop started asking Ques.
tions. q didn't tumble 10 L." He
pointed to the ground: "And there's
my 'alf. II you say the word. you
can ave n for q 'undred pounds"
It was very tempting to arrest the
man forthwith; no doubt. BY this
means. all the property would be re-
covered. since the other man could
be found. But felt curious: after
all. knew many ladies who had
their hair done by Charleville: some
were hard up; one OF them had re-
Gently received from me few valu-
able little presents which It would DO
amusing to identify. So ! said: mo.
I'm not going to buy pig in poke.
I don't mind doing q little business
with you: II think the stuff's worth
II, III give you a hundred pounds: ]
can't get caught. so don't mind"
He twinkled. recognizing a fellow
crook, dragged at the canvas that
was roughly nailed to the bottom OF
the figure, pulled 1t OF. thrust his
hand In. A look Of perplexity came
over his face. He fumbled In the
recess, took up the figure. shook 1t:
then. his mouth fallen open. he
turned to me and said: There sin't
nothing In itr'
EHOR q moment the air was nlied
l. with the thin sound OF his
misery. When. however. he had
said about a dozen times that he
didn't know how II could have hap
pened. I decided to be q little rougher
| with him.
Look here. my man." said.
you've tried to play dirty trick
on me. You've tried to get hundred
pounds out of me by making me be-
lieve that in this figure there was
lot OF valuable stuff, and !. =. :"
But there was"
Don't talk nonsense"
81: must have dropped out" lie
searched the sack furiously.
What sort OF fool do you take me
for? How could the things fall out
| when you'd nailed the canvas bottom
| on again? There never was any.
thing in this figure; the only thing
that upsets me is that it's hardly any
use handing you over to the police.
since you haven't got any stolen
| h,,A ~
the figure: that's probably stolen
goods. l think III gaol YOU for this"
Don't do that. guv'nor." implored
| the little man. II think / know 'ow
this 'appened. I'm a bigger fool
than anybody'd think and III tell you
for why. ] put the stun in with my
own ands. Would / tell you q story
like that If 1t weren't true?"
Indeed ! don't know"
what do you think I'd tell you
cracked a crib for II 1t weren't true?
lAin't the sort of thing n cove boasts
about to a stranger. is it?"
THAT may be. But you say you
think you know how it happened?"
well. guv'nor, don't know. but
I think It must ave been like this.
took my 'alf. and my mate took Is
alf We each got one OF these 'ere
figures of the floor. / filled mine. I
'ad to take the canvas off the bottom
first, but put 1t OF again after.
There was about n dozen Of them
figures there. waiting to ave air on.
What l thinks 'appened is that l
picked up one OF them lay figures
that was empty. And mine, what 4
got the stuff in 1t, is in Charlie WINS
back shop now. Oh my! this Is a
go"
II shouldn't wonder" remarked.
at seems very likely. suppose you
were in rather a hurry
"One always is In a 'urry in our
business. My mate 'ad been nearly
two hours opening the safe. and II
'ad got on my nerves like. When I'd
got my figure full. ! didn't 'ang
about, can tell you. ] just 'opped
It," Once more he expressed his
misery, his resentment against fate.
until stopped him:
Look here" l said. this Is all
very well. but the fact remains that
you've left the stuff behind. and
there's no chance OF your going to
get H."
"Of course there amt; it's too late
now: / 'aven't the nerve to risk IL.
and as for tomorrow night. they'll
ave 'alf dozen watchmen. with 'alf
a dozen guns, so hat 1t don't 'appen
again when It's already 'appened."
Continued In Our Next Issue)