The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 23, 1905, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY CALL. SONS OF A STOKY OF T T rTrvevrve (O S PN 0 The story of the Sons of the 2 ; Red Rose began In The Sunday Z $ Call May 25 and will continue for several weeks. This Is the 2 best story ilrond life that % has appeared for years. e filled with * rice—resigned. truck on was relieved, being appointed in Locally Many near L. L. Warner vacated on “straw.” pictured of the cass could train at midnight in © & coyote, neve: ing on your him one e little brute is in the ope: slender 8¢ rear step, an t the ra te to the pi ed o re like a soda wate apable of hand| very large from was designa- icknames of the riate. F ard H ar cipline st-class the trembling s of these in- ne a veritable housands of ollars ng “head-end- wrecked ma- reckless Hooli- v long enough to s to t away. once finest line in nade its chief business the checks or the certificate One afternoon, as John hady corner of the hotel his eyes fell upon the limping ap- h of a blackened, generally disrep- gure. ! Brady,” of hospital bill in the lone he cried. “What's y the old story,” growled the pain- lips as he, with many groans and CRSSSTISSSSOSSNGNSSIIS: (Copyright, 1905, by A. M. Davies Ogden.) S8 MAXWELL was angry. Her blue eyes blazed like stars. Her red lips were g. For three days to led the long procession of carrioles that each across Norway's smiling now, on coming out from y untethered, her e! riveri tarte 1 cape, and sncheon to find her p le pulled to one s glishman regarding ber, s secretly alarmed at the storm he had evoke it was not safe,” he declared with “You must wait until your Of course he had no busi seeing an onimous e forehead. “But as ng to come out from cast curious glances girl feit her boy! How and the That hateful thre B o oo @TTIOTEGTIIITT chiet joy of the average collector, that ure to his friends. of showing At last, however, d the height of s craze, K d n seemed to come together as suddenly as they bad parted company in the Room of Gold “Bunny,” he cried, flinging his news- T've got an idea paper across the yoom, I know where 1 sfter your own heart. can place it after all!” A “+Do you mean the cup?’ “I do.” *““Then I congratulate you.” ‘hanks.” “Upon the recovery of your senses.” much contortion of his face, sank care- fully into a chair. “One of their latest hog-heads forgot the little trifle of 19's being on the time card and undertook to pass me without a sidetrack, resulting in hodox Inter-Mountain trade- mark—two engines down the dump, cov- three cars deep. I had time to un- 4, but stopped rather hard on the cor- r of a rock—left ankle and back seem out of line.” one consolation,” answered re Hornet can find nothing in nst you.” nless he takes the ground that I should have known that the ‘Hooli- gan’ had forgotten about us,” returned adding as a mew pain darted through the injured foot, “not that I would be very much surprised if he Mr. Jasper joined them, asking “Did you get it very bad, Brady? Well you got out lucky. What the future of this accursed road is to be is beyond me. It certalnly looks to me as i1 a deliberate effort was being made to bankrupt it. Now, boys, I've been here since the first spike was driven and have grown gray in Inter-Mountain service. As the last of the old officials, it seems my duty to see if my suspicions can be verified. I've got enough to last the few years ining to me, so discharge for insubordination has no terrors for me. jdea is this, I'm going te Unitah i if I get to him I intend to take in the president’s office. It ¥ will result in an old fool g kicked out, but I may be af- ded a chance to unload some of my burden. If I can do anything to help the existing conditions I care little for \ts or even discharge. This thing ¢ standing helpless while the few of et ring boys ride daily to th or unmerited disgrace is becom- rable If you will wait until I can travel,” ir ¥ a 4 Brady grimly, “John and I will company 3 look after the kicking out Mr. Jasper.looked the great fo , an appreciative twinkle under the moisture filling the kindly old eyes. d like to see the pair of you d loose in that office, boiled shirts fourteen-inch collars would be at for a day or so. But se- ¢ill you both go with me?” t and a premiu Yes,” answered Brady. ‘We have nothing here to worry about. We will go with you as employes. If the game is called, we are at the time check headquarters. The only thing bother- - me is how can I go to work else- ere and ignore the fact of coming from the Inter-Mountain. You know, Mr. Jasper, how you would look &t an ap- plicant who would refer you to this road for reference.” “I'd never give him a chance” re- turned the old man hotly, adding: “But n personally fix both of you out. er-Mountain ideas are not enter- tained in every office in these moun- A few days later the new chief clerk the president’s office looked . with supercilious disgust upon a party of turee filling, with broad shoulders, the little railed off spacc A burly red- faced old fellow in loose, grease-stained overtopped by two towering in cloth heads. With a muttered “a nice place for train hands,” he leaned back into his chair, then with hands clasped be- hind his head eontemptuously, “What do you fellows want in her The contempt tinging the insolent voice was a whip-eord across the faces of the two younger men. As they start- ed forward Mr. Jasper gave each a Tre- straining look, answering calmly, “We would like to see Mr. Coleman; is he in? “Who are you and what is your busi- ne “I am Mr. Jasper, master mechanic at Red Canyon, and these are two of my engineers. We wish, if he,is at liberty, to see Mr. Coleman.” The rough dared he run off this way: Noting the empty shafts, the loosened pony, a young man came forward. Can I be of service?” he asked. *I speak a little Norsk. What! Your boy is lost? Oh, pray take mine. It wouid be a pity for you to lose your place,” with a glance at the purpling English- man. And Miss Maxwell, anxiou¥ to have the matter settled before the arrival of r mother and sister, after a moment's ideration, consented. d I am so glad you @id,” declared Rita later. I would just have hated to up our place to that horrid man who has been trying every day to get it. I believe he bribed our boy to get lost!” But Miss Maxwell did not answer. She just discovered the loss of a tiny heart that belonged on her watch and she remembered distinctly seen the tall young man, as he turned away, stoop and pick up some- con had gold T Y, “Thanks galore. But you've been con- foundedly unsympathetic about this thing, Bunny, and 1 don’t think I shall tell you my scheme till I've carried it out.” Quite time enough,” said L will mean your letting me loose for an hour or two under cloud bf this very night. To-morrow's Sunday, the jubilee's on Tuesday, and old Theobald’s comihg back for it. “It doesn't much matter whether he's or not, if you go lare enough.” 1 mustn’t be late. They don’t keep open. No, it's no use your asking any questions. Go out and buy me a big-box of Huntley & Palmer’s biscuits, any sort you ‘like, only they must be theirs, and absolutely the biggest box they sell.” “My dear man!” b: TvE HEARD ENOUGH OF THLS QUESIION RIGHTS” dignity of theghecavy voice seemed to_ have an effect #pon tne clerk, for in a voice with a tinge of unbending he an- swered, “Why do You not transact ygur business with your immediate su- periors? Mr, Coleman’s time is very valuable and besides how can he have interests in common with you fellows?" “In Mr., Blank's time that dobdr al- ways stood open to any man who said he had wv:iness with him,” retorted mr. Jasper, a dull ttush creeping over his cheexs. “Mr. Blank and Mr. Coleman are two different men. Mr. Coleman pays subor- dinates to attend to the details of disci- pline, etc. He, however, will consider any communications you may forward him, but only through the proper chan- nels” Mere the speaker turned to his desk with an air of finality. Mr. Jasper stood for a moment, a look of almost comical resentment upon his ruddy face, quietly surveying the impa sive face béfore him, then turned to his companions, who, with twitching hands, stood close behind him, saying: *‘Turned dewn, good and proper! Come on, boys, while he vet lets us live.” When they reached the street Brady sald firmly: *Here I wait until that quill driver comes out!” Mr. Jasper caught B P A GOSN S SR T N NI R RN NN M RRRR R r I T e thing from the ground. Could it have been her heart? And did he not know that it was hers? In the long evening twilight the stout lishman, Renfrew, joined the girls. hope that you did not consider mo intrusive this morning,” he began pom- pously. “I spoke purely In your "own interests. And regarding that young man—I saw you speaking with him be- fore dinner—I1 certainly would not advise you to form ah acquaintance there. My boy tells me that he takes only the very poorest rooms and bargains for all his meals. while no one seems to know his name. Curisus way to be traveling,” in consclous superiority. “Wouldn't pick him up if I were you."” Miss Maxwell, her lip curling, drew back. thank you,” she responded quietly. “We—as you say—have no desire to pick up acquaintances of any kind. So I wish you good-night.” But up in her room the girl's face grew troubled. It was true that she had been talking with the tall young Englishman before dinner. Meeting him coming down Ei “No questions, Bunny; part and I'll do mine.” Subtlety and success were in his face. It was enough for me, and I had @one his extraordinary bidding within a quarter of an hour. In another minute Raffles had opened the box and tumbled all the biscults into the nearest chalr. “Now newspapers!” 1 fetched a pile. He bid the cup of gold a ridiculous farewell, wrapped it up in newspaper after newspaper, and fipally packed it in the empty biscuit box. “Now some brown paper. I don't want to be taken for the grocer’s young man.” A neat enough parcel it made when the string had been tied and the ends cut clcse. What was more difficult was to wrap up Raffles himself in such a way that even the porter could not recognize him 1f they came face to race at the cor- ner. And the sun was still up. But Raf- you do your _the heavy shoulder in a firm grasp, then said laughingly: *‘Come on. -Your-Uncle Jasper has an idea.” In half surprise they followed him across the etreet. Ob- taining a message slip, he dashed off a féw brief words. When completed, he handed it to Gray, saying: “We will try another lever, Jack.” John read aloud: “Mr, J. E. Coleman Pres. I. M. R. R., Unitah. Self ané two other citizens of Red Canyon would like to see you on business of importance. If interview can be arranged, answer to Unitah. I. Jas- per.” “A truly Western way of going at it,” laughed Brady, as they stood awaiting the answer. In a few minutes it came appointing an interview at 2 p. m. It be- ing nearly dinner time, they went to their hotel, where, over their steak, John asked: ‘‘What do you propose o bring up “We can only deal with local condi- tions,” answered Mr, Jasper thoughfully. “Qur trouble there originates with Mr. Warner, Our visit here to-day is to, if possible, learn if his method is in accord- ance with the policy of the company or a personal character exercised in (zar- like autocracy.” ' “I fear you will find it the former,” the stairs she had stopped and uttered a word of thanks for his courtesy; then, plucking up courage, asked if he had found a golden heart. His answer puz- zled her. “And if T had, would you expect from a mere mortal resolution enough to reject the gifts of the gods?”’ Before this re- sponse Miss Maxwell had beaten a.hasty retreat; but now it arose again in her mind. What could he mean? Had he queer views on community of property? Was he—after what Mr. Renfrew had said—actually in need of money? For it was impossible that he would willingly steal. The problem worried and irritated her, keeping the young man constantly in her thoughts. And when, Christiania reached at last, Mrs, Maxwell took her girls to the Grand Hotel, unconsciously Mabel felt her spirits drop. Was this the end, then? Was she never to recover her heart? s A week slipped by uneventfully, and 28 the girl dressed one night for a dinner at the Embassy, a sigh rose to her lips. How stupid such things were! In the tles would go, and when he did I should not have known him myself. He may have been an hour away. It was barely dusk when he returned, and my first question referred to our dan- gerous ally, the porter. Raffles had passed him unsuspected in going, but had managed to avold him altogether on the return journey, which he had completed by way of the other entrance and the roof. I breathed again. “And what have you done with the cup?”’ “Placéd it!" - “How much for? How much for?” “Let me think. I had a couple of cabs and the postage was a tanner, with an- other two-pence for regis m. Yes, it cost me exactly it “It cost you? But what did you get for it, Raffles?” thing, my boy.” * vate door to quickly reappear sald Brady slowly. Mr. Jasper returned no reply, but continued his dinner in si- lence. At the stroke of two they again presented themselves at the office. The clerk looked at them in amazed silence. “We are here by appointment,” said Mr. Jasper, curtly. “By appointment, and with whom?” was gasped the amazed answer. 2 “With Mr. Coleman, and it's two min- utes past time now. See if he is await- ing us.” The young man in a state of percep- tible daze disappeared through the pri- saying, “Mr. Coleman will see you." As they entered the inner office they were con- fronted by a burly personage whose little pig-like eyes glared over his flabby cheeks wrathfully upon a paper trembling in his spatulate fingers. “What does this mean,” he roared in brutal dlscourtesy. “My clerk tells me you fellows are employes.” “His information is correct,” answered Mr. Jasper calmly. ‘“‘And at at one time I 2sked no higher honor than to be con- nected with"this road.” “Well, since you are here, kindly in- form me what or whom you represent,’” sneered the official, resuming his seat. “I am the only one of the old men yet remaining,” pursued Mr. Jasper, “and I represent the old ways that at one time made this road the model of the railway world. Falr treatment and a kindly vital- ized interest shown by every man to the one beneath him, plainly definéd rights on the part of all employes whose con- ferred privileges were always respected.” “Let me interrupt you here,” exclaimed Mr. Coleman, his face a mottled purple. ve heard enough on this question of ‘rights'—‘rights’—the only rights held by the employes of this company which it will ever recognize is the right to quit; and let me teli you that this road is run in the interest of the management and not of the employes. Mr. Blank's idea of discipline was the embodiment of senti- meatal hysterics and that is the least con- sidered element in modern business. The men employed by this company are to me as engines or the cars. When from any cause they are not up to full effective standara my first duty is to take them out of service and see that they are re- placed by others from whom we get 100 cents to the dollar.” “[ think I can reach you on the com- mercial basis,” answered Mr, Jasper, “but as I do not wish to get into waters beyond my depth, I'll confine myself to the local conditions at Red Canyon. The vards are filled with cars and I noticed on my way here this morning that there is not a clear passing siding on the district —the roundhouse has at no time under $150,000 worth of dead engines lying in It for repairs. Repairs thit'In nine cases out of ten are the direct result of incom- petency or gross neglect. You are pay- ing 6 cents a mile to a class of engineers whom Mr. Blank wouldn't have allowed to walk on the right of way. Your su- perintendent there 'has deliberately—and upon the most trivial pretexts—dis- charged the splendid body of men you obtained with the road. They are scat- tered over the country, and every good man knows that if the original Inter- Mountain men were unable to fill the bill thelr discharge was, the result of a vicious personal policy. Consequently, we have come to a time when no self-respecting man would dream of entering your ser- vice. The road is a shamble, passengers will detour 500 miles rather than ride over it. Your claim department is working overtime, and this once magnificent route is an ignored factor to all through ship- pers. Now the question we wish to asx is this: Ts the Warner mismanagement a local affair, or part of an outlined pol- ley?” “Suppose I decline to answer your im- pudent questioning,” sald Mr. Coleman. “Then I can draw an inference and my resignation at the same time,” replied Mr. Jasper, firmly. B N N e same uninterested mood she followed her mother into the brilliantly lighted room. There the sight of a tall young fellow caused her heart to beat violently for a second, then stop. It could not be he! But the man, turning, caught sight of her, and seizing his opportunity drew her be- hind the heavy curtains of a convenient . :&lndow. For a moment both stared thout speaking. A familiar voice from without broke the silence. “No, no. The man I mean is tall, and some people might call him good looking were it not for his lack of good breed- ing. The fellow arrived with us last week. He could not be Sir Nigel's nephew. Why, he hasn’t a penny.” His companion laughed. “Yet I fear just the same that it would be Sir Nigel's nephew that you mean. He left here a while ago for home and then suddenly, for no rhyme or reason, turns back at Bergen and, as you say, arrives without a penny. It is just like Lionel Carteret. Yet I suspect there must be something at the bottom of it. Vere there any pretty girls in your party?” “Nothing!"" “Not a crimson cent.” “I am not surprised. I never thought it had a market value. I told you so in the beginning,” I sald irritably. “But what on earth have you done with the thing?"” “Sent it to the Queen.” “You haven't!” Rogue is a word with various meanings, and Raffies had been one sort of rogue ever since I had known him, but now for . once he was the Innocent variety, a great gray-haired child, running over with merriment and mischief. “Well, I've sent it to Sir Arthur Bigge to present to Her Majesty, with the loyal respects of the thlef, if that will do for you,” sald Raffles. “I thought they might take too much stock of me at the G. P. O. If I addressed it to the sovereign herself. Yes, I drove over “Either course i{s immaterial to me. T think the Inter-Mountain will survive it.” returned Mr. Coleman with a sneer, add- ing contemplatively, “Do you lack any further Information?” “No, sir,” replied Mr. Jasper quickly, “but I think you do. Now let me teil you something. No rafiroad, let fits monopoly of territory be never so se- cure, can persistently ignore outraged public opinion. The infamous work your subordinate has accomplished at Red Canyon has turned tue hand of each citizen against you. Those old men whose home tles you have heartlessly broken, whose innocent familles you have endeavored to pauperize, carried each on his long search for employment the sincere sympathy of the entire town. Men like you never ascribe to the men in actlve service upon your engines or trains the possession of sufficient gray matter to equip a $40 per month clerk. You know that in those littls raflroad towns the engineers and conductors are men of prominence in social, fraternal and religious circles by intellectual equipment ranking with the best, own- ing their homes, taking high positions in politics in virtue of praven capacity. ‘Were you so constituted you could real- ize the feelings of a community, when, instead of looking upon comfortable homes environing merry faces and useful happy lives, they see only the drunken orgies of imported dead beats and bums. It seems as if even you could understand the feelings of hatred entertained toward the corporation’ directly responsible for the transformation. “A thing that I and the interests I manage care that for,” roared the presi- dent, snapping his fingers. “When it gets to the pass that these one-horse sage- « bush towns are to be considered other than in freight or ticket offices, water will run up hill.” “Well,” returned Mr. Jasper, with calm decision, “then get ready to see the Colorado heading for the Tetons, for, as God lives, the day shall come when men and interests akin to your ideas. will obey as whipped curs the very whisper of these same ‘one-horse towns." The ignorant brutality created in- this room has paved the way to re- volt. Our people are stupldly slow to anger. Last year a law was placed upon our statute books defining your responsibility in the matter of per- sonal injury to your butchered em- ployes. After exhausting all means to block, its, passage you sullenly ac- quiesced to its requirements. Don't think for an instant you deceived the people of this State by the method you have followed since—bulldozing your cripples to accepting a tithe of your legal and financial responsibility, then turning them out upon the people as preguaranteed paupers, saying in the depths of your black hearts, ‘These men through the suffering of them-. seélves and those dependent upon them can teach the people of this State just how much they and their laws can accomplish in their sentimrental intru- sion into our affairs” A few words meore,” noticing the pudgy hand stray- ing toward the push Butten, “I'm not through with you yet and—without threats—neither of us leaves this office room until you have received your full dose of information.” Mr. Coleman looked up to the two anger-whitened faces standing behind the speaker, then withdrew his hand. “The Rallroad Commissioner of this State”’—here over Mr. Coleman's eyes swept a lcok of startled surprise—“is an old broken-down political hack, possess- ing to the full the attributes of his buz- zard clan. Unprincipled, his greatest sensation is the touch of a dollar against his itching palm. He is, for his ‘consideration,” utterly yours—bloated body and whisky-soaked brain and con- demned soul. Now your course has prodded the people to a sense of the duty devolved upon their power. The interstate commerce bluff has given to you the strong reins of Federal power, so0 that some of your blankly acquiescent judges declare men engaged in interstate traffic ‘quasi public servants,” thereby taking from them their strongest fighting weapon—the right of striking. But the cleverest men sometimes leave overlooked In this case you bets upon the table. If KED KOSE THE RAIL IN THE 80's BY M-B-DE COURCY have done it proper. If men are foollsh enough to protest against Injustice oF brutality by striking only to feel the clamp of Federal authority upon their hands, what is to prevent the suddenly conferred honor of being in public service carrying with it its advantages? Now, I'll tell you what you may ex- t to run up against—and soon. Re- member, I'm now speaking from a plane broad emough to encircle every rall and tie you own in this State. The people dependent upon your lines for transpor- tation are at last alive to their danger. The men in whose tried hands they had for years Intrusted the lives of thelr wives and babies are tramps upon the earth, their vacated places filled with the discarded refuse of decent roads. There is not one of the sage-brush towns upon which you vent your contempt but has chairs forever vacant or whose sands do mot drift over the crushed breasts of your victims. This road must revert to its original conditions. Men must bandle your trains who are in every sense worthy of their great trust, the Inter- Mountain must be restrained in its butch~ ery, and soon. The people are even now clamoring for a solution of this unbear- able state of affairs, and names of the butchers responsible to them for its ine ception and continuance. They recog- nize the futility of appeal to you or your creatures, so it will be effected in this wise. A board of commissioners will be formed upon these lines; it will consist of two men selected by the engineers and conductors of the State, and two appoint= ed by the Governor, these to select a fifth, ranking as chairman. On any road wit in the State, operated upon lines similar to yours, upon application of two-thirds of the men to whom the term ‘quasi public’ applies, this board “will be the court of final appeal, thus taking from men like Warner the power which they have disgraced, and destroying the men= shadowing every hearth on your As the speaker paused, Mr. Coleman sat staring at him in surprised silence, then said, in a voice in which he vainly endeavored to produce his former bully- ing tones: “Am I to understand that it is the intention of the people of this State to attempt to take from us the control of our property?” “By no means,” came the deliberate re- ply. “Your property is a thing over which ‘we have no control, but we do reserve the right to protect the lives of those com- pelled to reluctantly avail themselves of your function as a public carrier. We grant to you a perfect right to play ‘freeze-out’ with your unfortunate minor- ity stockholders by the deterforation of machinery and wreckage of rolling stock. but the pitiful scent of innocent blood filling the nostrils of the people has at last aroused their manhood, and it needs not a prophet to say that you and your pollcy are doomed.” In the silence ensuing the great office clock swept its pendulum across many seconds. Finally, Mr. Coleman said in a volce of fcy coldness: “Mr. Jasper, your im=- mediate superior will accept your resig- nation,” then, insultingly, added: “But how about your bodyguard?’ Brady, with a burning oath, replied: “If you open your mouth again I'll fill it full of fist. Mr. Jasper is yet my immediate su- perior, and to him, the only gentleman on this cursed pike, I now tender my resignation.” “Add mine to It,” grave! Mr. Coleman turned to a package of papers as they passed out, and John noticed the fat hands were quivering like aspens. “A nice pair of hot heads,” laughed Mr. Jasper as they strolled down the street. “Never again quit 100 miles from your boarding-houses. I suppose as a loyal official, it is my duty to tell the conductor that, being no longer in the service, your transportation is out- lawed.” “If you do,” sald Brady, “with John's help I'll lock you up until the superin- tendent of M. P. & M. lets you out, then ve can walk back in company.” “I ses myself walking,” returned M¥. Jasper. “Boys, I want you to put up With me for a few days. I know you can enjoy a rest. In the meantime, I'll start out some letters In your favor. Postage stamps are equal to glass win- dows or freight caboose when carrying the right stuff over the proper signature to the fellow needing a good man.” John chimed in (Continued Next Sunday.) A LITTLE TRANSACTION IN HEARTS--By A. M. Davies A S A A A S I N S A A N A A N A N N N S LG SO NSO NSO NGOG SRR RRNRRNRNS IR, NROOSROGK S P NS NS But Renfrew was past speech. Miss Maxwell, in whose eyes a dawn- ing wonder had banished aught else, glanced swiftly at the stricken Carteret, but at his mingled entreaty and conscious guilt, the corners of her mouth began to curve relentingly. A quick gleam of amusement shot through her astonish- ment. nd—and you really did have my heart all the time then™ she queried demurely. Carteret bent forward. “Have 17" he demanded. “Have I, in- deed?’ The girl reddened. “Of course I mean the gold one,” retorted. Carteret produced the golden symbol. “I saw you in a shop at Bergen,” he confessed shamefacedly. *‘And then 1 found this and it seemed” a message of hope. At least it told me that you were free. Would you have had me give it back without a try? Did your challenge mean nothing?" hallenge?" repeated the girl. “Is it not a challenge to fate?" Open- ing the locket he showed. a paper in- she tiny to St. Martin's-le-Grand with it, and I registered the box into the bargain. Do a thing properly if you do it at all.” “But why on earth,” I groaned, “do such a thing at all?” “My dear Bunny, we have been reigned over for over sixty years by infinitely the finest monarch the world has ever seen. The world Is tak- ing the present opportunity of signify- ing the fact for all it is worth. Every nation is laying of its best at her royal feet, every class in the community Is doing its little level—except ours. All I have done is to remove one reproach from our fraternity.” At this I came round, was infected with his spirits, called him the sports- man he always was and would be, and 0ok his dare-devil hand in mine, but at the same time I still had my qualms. seribed with two words, “To let.” The girl, uttering a little cry, felt the color flooding even to the temdrils of curty brown hair. “f had forgotten,” she gasped. “Rita put it there one day for a joke, and I had forgotten. You opened it themP" with keen reproach. Carteret laughed. “I had to try for some clew,” he de- clared with a cheerful lack of contrition. “I was not sure at first that it belonged And when I discovered the fact, to you. 1 somehow took my finding of it as an omen. Was [ wrong?’ his tone changing suddenly. “Should I have given it back? Must I do so now? Is there no chance that 1 might ever meet your require- ments for tenant-owner—what you will? Won't you speak to me?” as the girl's lashes fluttered uncertainly. “Ah, Miss Maxwell—Mabel—answer me."” Almost the first present that Sir Lionel Carteret gave to his flancee was a tiny heart all set in diamonds, and hidden within it, neatly lolded, was a slip of paper on which was heavily penclisd the word “Taken. “Supposing they trace it to ust™ 1 asked. “There’s not much to eatch hold of in a biscuit box by Huntley & Pal- mer,” replied Raffles; “that was why 1 sent you for one. And I didn't write a word upon a sheet of paper whish could possibly be traced. I simply printed two or three on a virginal -post-card—another halfpenny to the bad—which might have been bought at any postoffice in the kingdom. Ne, old chap, the G. P. O. was the one real danger; there was one detective I spotted for myself, and the sight of him has left me with a thirst. Whis- key and Sullivans for two, Bunny, 1 you please.” Raffles was soon clinking his giass agalnst mine. h.‘;;‘.ho Queen,” sald he. “God blesq