the amateur cracksman-第1章

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The　Amateur　Cracksman

by　E。　W。　Hornung



TO　A。　C。　D。　THIS　FORM　OF　FLATTERY





THE　AMATEUR　CRACKSMAN




THE　IDES　OF　MARCH

I

It　was　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　window　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　his　mat。

〃No；〃　said　I；　pushing　past　him　without　ceremony。　　And　I　led　the　way　into　his　room　with　an　impudence　amazing　to　myself。

〃Not　come　back　for　your　revenge；　have　you？　　Because　I'm　afraid　I　can't　give　it　to　you　single…handed。　　I　was　sorry　myself　that　the　others〃

We　were　face　to　face　by　his　fireside；　and　I　cut　him　short。

〃Raffles；〃　said　I；　〃you　may　well　be　surprised　at　my　coming　back　in　this　way　and　at　this　hour。　　I　hardly　know　you。　　I　was　never　in　your　rooms　before　to…night。　　But　I　fagged　for　you　at　school；　and　you　said　you　remembered　me。　　Of　course　that's　no　excuse；　but　will　you　listen　to　mefor　two　minutes？〃

In　my　emotion　I　had　at　first　to　struggle　for　every　word；　but　his　face　reassured　me　as　I　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　I；　finding　a　full　voice　as　I　shook　my　head；　〃no；　I　won't　smoke；　and　I　won't　sit　down；　thank　you。　　Nor　will　you　ask　me　to　do　either　when　you've　heard　what　I　have　to　say。〃

〃Really？〃　said　he；　lighting　his　own　cigarette　with　one　clear　blue　eye　upon　me。　　〃How　do　you　know？〃

〃Because　you'll　probably　show　me　the　door；〃　I　cried　bitterly；　〃and　you　will　be　justified　in　doing　it！　　But　it's　no　use　beating　about　the　bush。　　You　know　I　dropped　over　two　hundred　just　now？〃

He　nodded。

〃I　hadn't　the　money　in　my　pocket。〃

〃I　remember。〃

〃But　I　had　my　check…book；　and　I　wrote　each　of　you　a　check　at　that　desk。〃

〃Well？〃

〃Not　one　of　them　was　worth　the　paper　it　was　written　on；　Raffles。　　I　am　overdrawn　already　at　my　bank！〃

〃Surely　only　for　the　moment？〃

〃No。　　I　have　spent　everything。〃

〃But　somebody　told　me　you　were　so　well　off。　I　heard　you　had　come　in　for　money？〃

〃So　I　did。　　Three　years　ago。　　It　has　been　my　curse；　now　it's　all　goneevery　penny！　　Yes；　I've　been　a　fool；　there　never　was　nor　will　be　such　a　fool　as　I've　been。　。　。　。　　Isn't　this　enough　for　you？　　Why　don't　you　turn　me　out？〃　　He　was　walking　up　and　down　with　a　very　long　face　instead。

〃Couldn't　your　people　do　anything？〃　he　asked　at　length。

〃Thank　God；〃　I　cried；　〃I　have　no　people！　　I　was　an　only　child。　　I　came　in　for　everything　there　was。　　My　one　comfort　is　that　they're　gone；　and　will　never　know。〃

I　cast　myself　into　a　chair　and　hid　my　face。　Raffles　continued　to　pace　the　rich　carpet　that　was　of　a　piece　with　everything　else　in　his　rooms。　　There　was　no　variation　in　his　soft　and　even　footfalls。

〃You　used　to　be　a　literary　little　cuss；〃　he　said　at　length；　〃didn't　you　edit　the　mag。　before　you　left？　　Anyway　I　recollect　fagging　you　to　do　my　verses；　and　literature　of　all　sorts　is　the　very　thing　nowadays；　any　fool　can　make　a　living　at　it。〃

I　shook　my　head。　　〃Any　fool　couldn't　write　off　my　debts；〃　said　I。

〃Then　you　have　a　flat　somewhere？〃　he　went　on。

〃Yes；　in　Mount　Street。〃

〃Well；　what　about　the　furniture？〃

I　laughed　aloud　in　my　misery。　　〃There's　been　a　bill　of　sale　on　every　stick　for　months！〃

And　at　that　Raffles　stood　still；　with　raised　eyebrows　and　stern　eyes　that　I　could　meet　the　better　now　that　he　knew　the　worst；　then；　with　a　shrug；　he　resumed　his　walk；　and　for　some　minutes　neither　of　us　spoke。　　But　in　his　handsome；　unmoved　face　I　read　my　fate　and　death…warrant；　and　with　every　breath　I　cursed　my　folly　and　my　cowardice　in　coming　to　him　at　all。　　Because　he　had　been　kind　to　me　at　school；　when　he　was　captain　of　the　eleven；　and　I　his　fag；　I　had　dared　to　look　for　kindness　from　him　now；　because　I　was　ruined；　and　he　rich　enough　to　play　cricket　all　the　summer；　and　do　nothing　for　the　rest　of　the　year；　I　had　fatuously　counted　on　his　mercy；　his　sympathy；　his　help！　　Yes；　I　had　relied　on　him　in　my　heart；　for　all　my　outward　diffidence　and　humility；　and　I　was　rightly　served。　　There　was　as　little　of　mercy　as　of　sympathy　in　that　curling　nostril；　that　rigid　jaw；　that　cold　blue　eye　which　never　glanced　my　way。　　I　caught　up　my　hat。　　I　blundered　to　my　feet。　　I　would　have　gone　without　a　word；　but　Raffles　stood　between　me　and　the　door。

〃Where　are　you　going？〃　said　he。

〃That's　my　business；〃　I　replied。　　〃I　won't　trouble　YOU　any　more。〃

〃Then　how　am　I　to　help　you？〃

〃I　didn't　ask　your　help。〃

〃Then　why　come　to　me？〃

〃Why；　indeed！〃　I　echoed。　　〃Will　you　let　me　pass？〃

〃Not　until　you　tell　me　where　you　are　going　and　what　you　mean　to　do。〃

〃Can't　you　guess？〃　I　cried。　　And　for　many　seconds　we　stood

staring　in　each　other's　eyes。

〃Have　you　got　the　pluck？〃　said　he；　breaking　the　spell　in　a　tone　so　cynical　that　it　brought　my　last　drop　of　blood　to　the　boil。

〃You　shall　see；〃　said　I；　as　I　stepped　back　and　whipped　the　pistol　from　my　overcoat　pocket。　〃Now；　will　you　let　me　pass　or　shall　I　do　it　here？〃

The　barrel　touched　my　temple；　and　my　thumb　the　trigger。　　Mad　with　excitement　as　I　was；　ruined；　dishonored；　and　now　finally　determined　to　make　an　end　of　my　misspent　life；　my　only　surprise　to　this　day　is　that　I　did　not　do　so　then　and　there。　The　despicable　satisfaction　of　involving　another　in　one's　destruction　added　its　miserable　appeal　to　my　baser　egoism；　and　had　fear　or　horror　flown　to　my　companion's　face；　I　shudder　to　think　I　might　have　died　diabolically　happy　with　that　look　for　my　last　impious　consolation。　　It　was　the　look　that　came　instead　which　held　my　hand。　　Neither　fear　nor　horror　were　in　it；　only　wonder；　admiration；　and　such　a　measure　of　pleased　expectancy　as　caused　me　after　all　to　pocket　my　revolver　with　an　oath。

〃You　devil！〃　I　said。　　〃I　believe　you　wanted　me　to　do　it！〃

〃Not　quite；〃　was　the　reply；　made　with　a　little　start；　and　a　change　of　color　that　came　too　late。　〃To　tell　you　the　truth；　though；　I　half　thought　you　meant　it；　and　I　was　never　more　fascinated　in　my　life。　　I　never　dreamt　you　had　such　stuff　in　you；　Bunny！　　No；　I'm　hanged　if　I　let　you　go　now。　　And　you'd　better　not　try　that　game　again；　for　you　won't　catch　me　stand　and　look　on　a　second　time。　　We　must　think　of　some　way　out　of　the　mess。　　I　had　no　idea　you　were　a　chap　of　that　sort！　　There；　let　me　have　the　gun。〃

One　of　his　hands　fell　kindly　on　my　shoulder；　while　the　other　slipped　into　my　overcoat　pocket；　and　I　suffered　him　to　deprive　me　of　my　weapon　without　a　murmur。　　Nor　was　this　simply　because　Raffles　had　the　subtle　power　of　making　himself　irresistible　at　will。　　He　was　beyond　comparison　the　most　masterful　man　whom　I　have　ever　known；　yet　my　acquiescence　was　due　to　more　than　the　mere　subjection　of　the　weaker　nature　to　the　stronger。　The　forlorn　hope　which　had　brought　me　to　the　Albany　was　turned　as　by　magic　into　an　almost　staggering　sense　of　safety。　　Raffles　would　help　me　after　all！　　A。　J。　Raffles　would　be　my　friend！　　It　was　as　though　all　the　world　had　come　round　suddenly　to　my　side；　so　far　therefore　from　resisting　his　action；　I　caught　and　clasped　his　hand　with　a　fervor　as　uncontrollable　as　the　frenzy　which　had　preceded　it。

〃God　bless　you！〃　I　cried。　　〃Forgive　me　for　everything。　　I　will　tell　you　the　truth。　　I　DID　think　you　might　help　me　in　my　extremity；　though　I　well　knew　that　I　had　no　claim　upon　you。　　Stillfor　the　old　school's　sakethe　sake　of　old　timesI　thought　you　might　give　me　another　chance。　　If　you　wouldn't　I　meant　to　blow　out　my　brainsand　will　still　if　you　change　your　mind！〃

In　truth　I　feared　that　it　was　changing；　with　his　expression；　even　as　I　spoke；　and　in　spite　of　his　kindly　tone　and　kindlier　use　of　my　old　school　nickname。　　His　next　words　showed　me　my　mistake。

〃What　a　boy　it　is　for　jumping　to　conclusions！　I　have　my　vices；　Bunny；　but　backing　and　filling　is　not　one　of　them。　　Sit　down；　my　good　fellow；　and　have　a　cigarette　to　soothe　your　nerves。　　I　insist。　　Whiskey？　　The　worst　thing　for　you；　here's　some　coffee　that　I　was　brewing　when　you　came　in。　　Now　listen　to　me。　　You　speak　of　'another　chance。'　　What　do　you　mean？　　Another　chance　at　baccarat？　　Not　if　I　know　it！　　You　think　the　luck　must　turn；　suppose　it　didn't？　　We　should　only　have　made　bad　worse。　　No；　my　dear　chap；　you've　plunged　enough。　Do　you　put　yourself　in　my　hands　or　do　you　not？　Very　well；　then　you　plunge　no　more；　and　I　undertake　not　to　present　my　check。　　Unfortunately　there　are　the　other　men；　and　still　more　unfortunately；　Bunny；　I'm　as　hard　up　at　this　moment　as　you　are　yourself！〃

It　was　my　turn　to　stare　at　Raffles。　　〃You？〃　I　vociferated。　　〃You　hard　up？　　How　am　I　to　sit　here　and　believe　that？〃

〃Did　I　refuse　to　believe　it　of　you？〃　he　returned；　smiling。　　〃And；　with　your　own　experience；　do　you　think　that　because　a　fellow　has　rooms　in　this　place；　and　belongs　to　a　club　or　two；　and　plays　a　little　cricket；　he　must　necessarily　have　a　balance　at　the　bank？　　I　tell　you；　my　dear　man；　that　at　this　moment　I'm　as　hard　up　as　you　ever　were。　　I　have　nothing　but　my　wits　to　live　onabsolutely　nothing　else。　It　was　as　necessary　for　me　to　win　some　money　this　evening　as　it　was　for　you。　　We're　in　the　same　boat；　Bunny；　we'd　better　pull　together。〃

〃Together！〃　　I　jumped　at　it。　　〃I'll　do　anything　in　this　world　for　you；　Raffles；〃　I　said；　〃if　you　really　mean　that　you　won't　give　me　away。　　Think　of　anything　you　like；　and　I'll　do　it！　　I　was　a　desperate　man　when　I　came　here；　and　I'm　just　as　desperate　now。　　I　don't　mind　what　I　do　if　only　I　can　get　out　of　this　without　a　scandal。〃

Again　I　see　him；　leaning　back　in　one　of　the　luxurious　chairs　with　which　his　room　was　furnished。　I　see　his　indolent；　athletic　figure；　his　pale；　sharp；　clean…shaven　features；　his　curly　black　hair；　his　strong；　unscrupulous　mouth。　　And　again　I　feel　the　clear　beam　of　his　wonderful　eye；　cold　and　luminous　as　a　star；　shining　into　my　brainsifting　the　very　secrets　of　my　heart。

〃I　wonder　if　you　mean　all　that！〃　he　said　at　length。　　〃You　do　in　your　present　mood；　but　who　can　back　his　mood　to　last？　　Still；　there's　hope　when　a　chap　takes　that　tone。　　Now　I　think　of　it；　too；　you　were　a　plucky　little　devil　at　school；　you　once　did　me　rather　a　good　turn；　I　recollect。　　Remember　it；　Bunny？　　Well；　wait　a　bit；　and　perhaps　I'll　be　able　to　do　you　a　better　one。　　Give　me　time　to　think。〃

He　got　up；　lit　a　fresh　cigarette；　and　fell　to　pacing　the　room　once　more；　but　with　a　slower　and　more　thoughtful　step；　and　for　a　much　longer　period　than　before。　　Twice　he　stopped　at　my　chair　as　though　on　the　point　of　speaking；　but　each　time　he　checked　himself　and　resumed　his　stride　in　silence。　　Once　he　threw　up　the　window；　which　he　had　shut　some　time　since；　and　stood　for　some　moments　leaning　out　into　the　fog　which　filled　the　Albany　courtyard。　　Meanwhile　a　clock　on　the　chimney…piece　struck　one；　and　one　again　for　the　half…hour；　without　a　word　between　us。

Yet　I　not　only　kept　my　chair　with　patience；　but　I　acquired　an　incongruous　equanimity　in　that　half…hour