The evening world. Newspaper, May 13, 1905, Page 25

wee a ES = . The Adventures Special Fiction | Yak DE CUNO of Raffles. Supplement. . Be No. 1. FICTION SUPPLEMENT, NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MAY13™ 1905, (Copyright 1905, by the Prevy Publishing Company.) mcs AMATEUR ae CRACKSMAN. rally Sp, Adventure No. 1. Hl | “THe [Des « MARCH” By E. W. Hornung, Author of ‘‘The Shadow of the Rope,” ‘The Rogue’s March,” “‘A Bride from the Bush,” ‘“Stingaree Stories,’ ”? &C, (COPYRIGH f. 1890, HY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS.) This is the first of a Series of Thir- teen New Stories entitled ‘‘Rafiies, the Amateur Cracksman.” Raffles is destined to achieve as widespread fame in his own peculiar line as did Sherlock Holmes in a totally different sphere, for Raffles and Holmes are exact opposites in view, character and career, While Sherlock Holmes exercised his wonderful powers toward the de- tection of crime, Raffles is repre- sented asa man of unusual intellect and of high birth and breeding who has sunk to employing his undoubted Senius to enable him to live ‘by his wits. The Second Adventure of Raffles— - "A Costume Piece’’— will appear Next Week. T was about half-past twelve when I returned to the Albany as a last desperate resort, The scene of my disaster was much as I had left it, The baccarat counters still strewed the table, with the empty glasses and the loaded ash-trays. A wine dow had been opened to let the smoke out, and was letting in the fog instead, Raffles himself had merely discarded his dining jacket for one of his innumerable blazers, Yet he arched his eyebrows as though I had dragged him from his bed. “Forgotten something?” said he, when he saw me on ‘this mat. id I, pushing past him without ceremony. And y into his room with an impudence amazing to myself, . “Not come back for your revenge, have you? Because 'm afraid | can’t give it you single-handed. 1 was sorry myself that the others’—— We were face to face by his fireside, and | cut him short, “Raffles,” said 1, “you may well be surprised at my coming back in this way and at this hour, 1 hardly know you. I was never in your rooms before to-night, But 1 fagged for you at school, and you said you remembered me, Of course, that’s no excuse; but will you listen to me—for two minutes?” In my. emotion I had at first to struggle for every iword, but his face reassured me as 1 went on, and I was not mistaken in its expression, “Certainly, my dear man,’’ said he; “as many minutes as you like. Have a Sullivan and sit down.” And he handed me his silver cigarette-case. “No,"’ said 1, finding a full voice as 1 shook my head; “no, | won't smoke, and I won’t sit down, thank you. Nor will you ask me “No, I have spent everything.” l the mag. before you left? ) ig you to do my verses; to do either when you've heard what 1 have to say.” “But somebody told me you were so well off. I heard you had come in and literature of all sorts is the very thi any foo! n make a “Really?” said he, lighting his own cigarette with one clear blue eye upon for money?” living at it” / aul y me. “How do you know?” : “So did I. Three years ago. It has been my curse; now it’s all gone— J Shook my head, “Any fool coukin't write off my debts,” said I, “Because you'll probably show me the door,” I cried bitterly; “and you'll every penny! Yes, I’ve been a fool; there never was nor will be such a fool then you have a flat somewhere?” he went on, be justified in doing it! But it’s no use beating about the bush, You know I as I’ve been, , . . Isn't this enough for.you? Why don’t you turn me acs in Mount street. ; r dropped over two hundred just now?” out?” He was walking up and down with a very long face instead. Well, what about the furniture? He nodded, ; + “Couldn't your people do anything?” he asked at length. , “I laughed aloud in my misery, “There's been a bill of sale on every “1 hadn't the money in my pocket.” “Thank God,” I cried, “I have no people! 1 was an only child, 1 came stick for ” ; “1 remember,” In for everything there was. My one comfort is that they’re gone and will that Raffles stood still, with raised eyebrows and stern eyes that I “But | had my check-book, and 1 wrote each of you a check at that desk.” never know,” could meet the better now that he knew the worst; then, with a shrug, he re- ell?” ‘ 1 cast myself into a chair and hid my face. Raffles continued to pace sumed his walk, and for some minutés neither of us spoke, But in his. hand- . t was of a plece with everything else in his rooms, There some, unmoved face I read my fate and death warrant; and with every breath ‘ 1 cursed my folly and my, cowardice in comin at all, Because he had been kind to: meat school, when he. ive i lev and: | his fag, iy