the amateur cracksman-第2章

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ur。　　Insensibly　I　had　shifted　my　burden　to　the　broad　shoulders　of　this　splendid　friend；　and　my　thoughts　wandered　with　my　eyes　as　the　minutes　passed。　　The　room　was　the　good…sized；　square　one；　with　the　folding　doors；　the　marble　mantel…piece；　and　the　gloomy；　old…fashioned　distinction　peculiar　to　the　Albany。　　It　was　charmingly　furnished　and　arranged；　with　the　right　amount　of　negligence　and　the　right　amount　of　taste。　　What　struck　me　most；　however；　was　the　absence　of　the　usual　insignia　of　a　cricketer's　den。　　Instead　of　the　conventional　rack　of　war…worn　bats；　a　carved　oak　bookcase；　with　every　shelf　in　a　litter；　filled　the　better　part　of　one　wall；　and　where　I　looked　for　cricketing　groups；　I　found　reproductions　of　such　works　as　〃Love　and　Death〃　and　〃The　Blessed　Damozel；〃　in　dusty　frames　and　different　parallels。　　The　man　might　have　been　a　minor　poet　instead　of　an　athlete　of　the　first　water。　　But　there　had　always　been　a　fine　streak　of　aestheticism　in　his　complex　composition；　some　of　these　very　pictures　I　had　myself　dusted　in　his　study　at　school；　and　they　set　me　thinking　of　yet　another　of　his　many　sidesand　of　the　little　incident　to　which　he　had　just　referred。

Everybody　knows　how　largely　the　tone　of　a　public　school　depends　on　that　of　the　eleven；　and　on　the　character　of　the　captain　of　cricket　in　particular；　and　I　have　never　heard　it　denied　that　in　A。　J。　Raffles's　time　our　tone　was　good；　or　that　such　influence　as　he　troubled　to　exert　was　on　the　side　of　the　angels。　　Yet　it　was　whispered　in　the　school　that　he　was　in　the　habit　of　parading　the　town　at　night　in　loud　checks　and　a　false　beard。　　It　was　whispered；　and　disbelieved。　　I　alone　knew　it　for　a　fact；　for　night　after　night　had　I　pulled　the　rope　up　after　him　when　the　rest　of　the　dormitory　were　asleep；　and　kept　awake　by　the　hour　to　let　it　down　again　on　a　given　signal。　　Well；　one　night　he　was　over…bold；　and　within　an　ace　of　ignominious　expulsion　in　the　hey…day　of　his　fame。　　Consummate　daring　and　extraordinary　nerve　on　his　part；　aided；　doubtless；　by　some　little　presence　of　mind　on　mine；　averted　the　untoward　result；　and　no　more　need　be　said　of　a　discreditable　incident。　　But　I　cannot　pretend　to　have　forgotten　it　in　throwing　myself　on　this　man's　mercy　in　my　desperation。　　And　I　was　wondering　how　much　of　his　leniency　was　owing　to　the　fact　that　Raffles　had　not　forgotten　it　either；　when　he　stopped　and　stood　over　my　chair　once　more。

〃I've　been　thinking　of　that　night　we　had　the　narrow　squeak；〃　he　began。　　〃Why　do　you　start？〃

〃I　was　thinking　of　it　too。〃

He　smiled；　as　though　he　had　read　my　thoughts。

〃Well；　you　were　the　right　sort　of　little　beggar　then；　Bunny；　you　didn't　talk　and　you　didn't　flinch。　You　asked　no　questions　and　you　told　no　tales。　　I　wonder　if　you're　like　that　now？〃

〃I　don't　know；〃　said　I；　slightly　puzzled　by　his　tone。　　〃I've　made　such　a　mess　of　my　own　affairs　that　I　trust　myself　about　as　little　as　I'm　likely　to　be　trusted　by　anybody　else。　　Yet　I　never　in　my　life　went　back　on　a　friend。　　I　will　say　that；　otherwise　perhaps　I　mightn't　be　in　such　a　hole　to…night。〃

〃Exactly；〃　said　Raffles；　nodding　to　himself；　as　though　in　assent　to　some　hidden　train　of　thought；　〃exactly　what　I　remember　of　you；　and　I'll　bet　it's　as　true　now　as　it　was　ten　years　ago。　　We　don't　alter；　Bunny。　　We　only　develop。　　I　suppose　neither　you　nor　I　are　really　altered　since　you　used　to　let　down　that　rope　and　I　used　to　come　up　it　hand　over　hand。　　You　would　stick　at　nothing　for　a　palwhat？〃

〃At　nothing　in　this　world；〃　I　was　pleased　to　cry。

〃Not　even　at　a　crime？〃　said　Raffles；　smiling。

I　stopped　to　think；　for　his　tone　had　changed；　and　I　felt　sure　he　was　chaffing　me。　　Yet　his　eye　seemed　as　much　in　earnest　as　ever；　and　for　my　part　I　was　in　no　mood　for　reservations。

〃No；　not　even　at　that；〃　I　declared；　〃name　your　crime；　and　I'm　your　man。〃

He　looked　at　me　one　moment　in　wonder；　and　another　moment　in　doubt；　then　turned　the　matter　off　with　a　shake　of　his　head；　and　the　little　cynical　laugh　that　was　all　his　own。

〃You're　a　nice　chap；　Bunny！　　A　real　desperate　characterwhat？　　Suicide　one　moment；　and　any　crime　I　like　the　next！　　What　you　want　is　a　drag；　my　boy；　and　you　did　well　to　come　to　a　decent　law…abiding　citizen　with　a　reputation　to　lose。　　None　the　less　we　must　have　that　money　to…nightby　hook　or　crook。〃

〃To…night；　Raffles？〃

〃The　sooner　the　better。　　Every　hour　after　ten　o'clock　to…morrow　morning　is　an　hour　of　risk。　　Let　one　of　those　checks　get　round　to　your　own　bank；　and　you　and　it　are　dishonored　together。　　No；　we　must　raise　the　wind　to…night　and　re…open　your　account　first　thing　to…morrow。　　And　I　rather　think　I　know　where　the　wind　can　be　raised。〃

〃At　two　o'clock　in　the　morning？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃But　howbut　whereat　such　an　hour？〃

〃From　a　friend　of　mine　here　in　Bond　Street。〃

〃He　must　be　a　very　intimate　friend！〃

〃Intimate's　not　the　word。　　I　have　the　run　of　his　place　and　a　latch…key　all　to　myself。〃

〃You　would　knock　him　up　at　this　hour　of　the　night？〃

〃If　he's　in　bed。〃

〃And　it's　essential　that　I　should　go　in　with　you？〃

〃Absolutely。〃

〃Then　I　must；　but　I'm　bound　to　say　I　don't　like　the　idea；　Raffles。〃

〃Do　you　prefer　the　alternative？〃　asked　my　companion；　with　a　sneer。　　〃No；　hang　it；　that's　unfair！〃　he　cried　apologetically　in　the　same　breath。　　〃I　quite　understand。　　It's　a　beastly　ordeal。　　But　it　would　never　do　for　you　to　stay　outside。　　I　tell　you　what；　you　shall　have　a　peg　before　we　startjust　one。　　There's　the　whiskey；　here's　a　syphon；　and　I'll　be　putting　on　an　overcoat　while　you　help　yourself。〃

Well；　I　daresay　I　did　so　with　some　freedom；　for　this　plan　of　his　was　not　the　less　distasteful　to　me　from　its　apparent　inevitability。　　I　must　own；　however；　that　it　possessed　fewer　terrors　before　my　glass　was　empty。　　Meanwhile　Raffles　rejoined　me；　with　a　covert　coat　over　his　blazer；　and　a　soft　felt　hat　set　carelessly　on　the　curly　head　he　shook　with　a　smile　as　I　passed　him　the　decanter。

〃When　we　come　back；〃　said　he。　　〃Work　first；　play　afterward。　　Do　you　see　what　day　it　is？〃　he　added；　tearing　a　leaflet　from　a　Shakespearian　calendar；　as　I　drained　my　glass。　　〃March　15th。　　'The　Ides　of　March；　the　Ides　of　March；　remember。'　Eh；　Bunny；　my　boy？　　You　won't　forget　them；　will　you？〃

And；　with　a　laugh；　he　threw　some　coals　on　the　fire　before　turning　down　the　gas　like　a　careful　householder。　　So　we　went　out　together　as　the　clock　on　the　chimney…piece　was　striking　two。

　　II

Piccadilly　was　a　trench　of　raw　white　fog；　rimmed　with　blurred　street…lamps；　and　lined　with　a　thin　coating　of　adhesive　mud。　　We　met　no　other　wayfarers　on　the　deserted　flagstones；　and　were　ourselves　favored　with　a　very　hard　stare　from　the　constable　of　the　beat；　who；　however；　touched　his　helmet　on　recognizing　my　companion。

〃You　see；　I'm　known　to　the　police；〃　laughed　Raffles　as　we　passed　on。　　〃Poor　devils；　they've　got　to　keep　their　weather　eye　open　on　a　night　like　this！　　A　fog　may　be　a　bore　to　you　and　me；　Bunny；　but　it's　a　perfect　godsend　to　the　criminal　classes；　especially　so　late　in　their　season。　　Here　we　are；　thoughand　I'm　hanged　if　the　beggar　isn't　in　bed　and　asleep　after　all！〃

We　had　turned　into　Bond　Street；　and　had　halted　on　the　curb　a　few　yards　down　on　the　right。　　Raffles　was　gazing　up　at　some　windows　across　the　road；　windows　barely　discernible　through　the　mist；　and　without　the　glimmer　of　a　light　to　throw　them　out。　They　were　over　a　jeweller's　shop；　as　I　could　see　by　the　peep…hole　in　the　shop　door；　and　the　bright　light　burning　within。　　But　the　entire　〃upper　part；〃　with　the　private　street…door　next　the　shop；　was　black　and　blank　as　the　sky　itself。

〃Better　give　it　up　for　to…night；〃　I　urged。　〃Surely　the　morning　will　be　time　enough！〃

〃Not　a　bit　of　it；〃　said　Raffles。　　〃I　have　his　key。　We'll　surprise　him。　　Come　along。〃

And　seizing　my　right　arm；　he　hurried　me　across　the　road；　opened　the　door　with　his　latch…key；　and　in　another　moment　had　shut　it　swiftly　but　softly　behind　us。　　We　stood　together　in　the　dark。　　Outside；　a　measured　step　was　approaching；　we　had　heard　it　through　the　fog　as　we　crossed　the　street；　now；　as　it　drew　nearer；　my　companion's　fingers　tightened　on　my　arm。

〃It　may　be　the　chap　himself；〃　he　whispered。　〃He's　the　devil　of　a　night…bird。　　Not　a　sound；　Bunny！　　We'll　startle　the　life　out　of　him。　　Ah！〃

The　measured　step　had　passed　without　a　pause。　Raffles　drew　a　deep　breath；　and　his　singular　grip　of　me　slowly　relaxed。

〃But　still；　not　a　sound；〃　he　continued　in　the　same　whisper；　〃we'll　take　a　rise　out　of　him；　wherever　he　is！　　Slip　off　your　shoes　and　follow　me。〃

Well；　you　may　wonder　at　my　doing　so；　but　you　can　never　have　met　A。　J。　Raffles。　　Half　his　power　lay　in　a　conciliating　trick　of　sinking　the　commander　in　the　leader。　　And　it　was　impossible　not　to　follow　one　who　led　with　such　a　zest。　　You　might　question；　but　you　followed　first。　　So　now；　when　I　heard　him　kick　off　his　own　shoes；　I　did　the　same；　and　was　on　the　stairs　at　his　heels　before　I　realized　what　an　extraordinary　way　was　this　of　approaching　a　stranger　for　money　in　the　dead　of　night。　　But　obviously　Raffles　and　he　were　on　exceptional　terms　of　intimacy；　and　I　could　not　but　infer　that　they　were　in　the　habit　of　playing　practical　jokes　upon　each　other。

We　groped　our　way　so　slowly　upstairs　that　I　had　time　to　make　more　than　one　note　before　we　reached　the　top。　　The　stair　was　uncarpeted。　　The　spread　fingers　of　my　right　hand　encountered　nothing　on　the　damp　wall；　those　of　my　left　trailed　through　a　dust　that　could　be　felt　on　the　banisters。　An　eerie　sensation　had　been　upon　me　since　we　entered　the　house。　　It　increased　with　every　step　we　climbed。　　What　hermit　were　we　going　to　startle　in　his　cell？

We　came　to　a　landing。　　The　banisters　led　us　to　the　left；　and　to　the　left　again。　　Four　steps　more；　and　we　were　on　another　and　a　longer　landing；　and　suddenly　a　match　blazed　from　the　black。　　I　never　heard　it　struck。　　Its　flash　was　blinding。　　When　my　eyes　became　accustomed　to　the　light；　there　was　Raffles　holding　up　the　match　with　one　hand；　and　shading　it　with　the　other；　between　bare　boards；　stripped　walls；　and　the　open　doors　of　empty　rooms。

〃Where　have　you　brought　me？〃　I　cried。　　〃The　house　is　unoccupied！〃

〃Hush！　　Wait！〃　he　whispered；　and　he　led　the　way　into　one　of　the　empty　rooms。　　His　match　went　out　as　we　crossed　the　threshold；　and　he　struck　another　without　the　slightest　noise。　　Then　he　stood　with　his　back　to　me；　fumbling　with　something　that　I　could　not　see。　　But；　when　he　threw　the　second　match　away；　there　was　some　other　light　in　its　stead；　and　a　slight　smell　of　oil。　　I　stepped　forward　to　look　over　his　shoulder；　but　before　I　could　do　so　he　had　turned　and　flashed　a　tiny　lantern　in　my　face。

〃What's　this？〃　I　gasped。　　〃What　rotten　trick　are　you　going　to　play？〃

〃It's　played；〃　he　answered；　with　his　quiet　laugh。

〃On　me？〃

〃I　am　afraid　so；　Bunny。〃

〃Is　there　no　one　in　the　house；　then？〃

〃No　one　but　ourselves。〃

〃So　it　was　mere　chaff　about　your　friend　in　Bond　Street；　who　could　let　us　have　that　money？〃

〃Not　altogether。　　It's　quite　true　that　Danby　is　a　friend　of　mine。〃

〃Danby？〃

〃The　jeweller　underneath。〃

〃What　do　you　mean？〃　I　whispered；　trembling　like　a　leaf　as　his　meaning　dawned　upon　me。　　〃Are　we　to　get　the　money　from　the　jeweller？〃

〃Well；　not　exactly。〃

〃What；　then？〃

〃The　equivalentfrom　his　shop。〃

There　was　no　need　for　another　question。　　I　understood　every