the amateur cracksman-第20章

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〃By　the　7。15　from　Liverpool　Street。　　I　don't　say　much　about　my　people；　Bunny；　but　I　have　the　best　of　sisters　married　to　a　country　parson　in　the　eastern　counties。　　They　always　make　me　welcome；　and　let　me　read　the　lessons　for　the　sake　of　getting　me　to　church。　　I'm　sorry　you　won't　be　there　to　hear　me　on　Sunday；　Bunny。　　I've　figured　out　some　of　my　best　schemes　in　that　parish；　and　I　know　of　no　better　port　in　a　storm。　　But　I　must　pack。　　I　thought　I'd　just　let　you　know　where　I　was　going；　and　why；　in　case　you　cared　to　follow　my　example。〃

He　flung　the　stump　of　his　cigarette　into　the　fire；　stretched　himself　as　he　rose；　and　remained　so　long　in　the　inelegant　attitude　that　my　eyes　mounted　from　his　body　to　his　face；　a　second　later　they　had　followed　his　eyes　across　the　room；　and　I　also　was　on　my　legs。　　On　the　threshold　of　the　folding　doors　that　divided　bedroom　and　sitting…room；　a　well…built　man　stood　in　ill…fitting　broadcloth；　and　bowed　to　us　until　his　bullet　head　presented　an　unbroken　disk　of　short　red　hair。

Brief　as　was　my　survey　of　this　astounding　apparition；　the　interval　was　long　enough　for　Raffles　to　recover　his　composure；　his　hands　were　in　his　pockets；　and　a　smile　upon　his　face；　when　my　eyes　flew　back　to　him。

〃Let　me　introduce　you；　Bunny；〃　said　he；　〃to　our　distinguished　colleague；　Mr。　Reginald　Crawshay。〃

The　bullet　head　bobbed　up；　and　there　was　a　wrinkled　brow　above　the　coarse；　shaven　face；　crimson　also；　I　remember；　from　the　grip　of　a　collar　several　sizes　too　small。　　But　I　noted　nothing　consciously　at　the　time。　　I　had　jumped　to　my　own　conclusion；　and　I　turned　on　Raffles　with　an　oath。

〃It's　a　trick！〃　I　cried。　　〃It's　another　of　your　cursed　tricks！　　You　got　him　here；　and　then　you　got　me。　　You　want　me　to　join　you；　I　suppose？　　I'll　see　you　damned！〃

So　cold　was　the　stare　which　met　this　outburst　that　I　became　ashamed　of　my　words　while　they　were　yet　upon　my　lips。

〃Really；　Bunny！〃　said　Raffles；　and　turned　his　shoulder　with　a　shrug。

〃Lord　love　yer；〃　cried　Crawshay；　〃'_E_　knew　nothin'。　　_'E_　didn't　expect　me；　'E'S　all　right。　　And　you're　the　cool　canary；　YOU　are；〃　he　went　on　to　Raffles。　　〃I　knoo　you　were；　but；　do　me　proud；　you're　one　after　my　own　kidney！〃　　And　he　thrust　out　a　shaggy　hand。

〃After　that；〃　said　Raffles；　taking　it；　〃what　am　I　to　say？　　But　you　must　have　heard　my　opinion　of　you。　　I　am　proud　to　make　your　acquaintance。　How　the　deuce　did　you　get　in？〃

〃Never　you　mind；〃　said　Crawshay；　loosening　his　collar；　〃let's　talk　about　how　I'm　to　get　out。　Lord　love　yer；　but　that's　better！〃

There　was　a　livid　ring　round　his　bull…neck；　that　he　fingered　tenderly。　　〃Didn't　know　how　much　longer　I　might　have　to　play　the　gent；〃　he　explained；　〃didn't　know　who　you'd　bring　in。〃

〃Drink　whiskey　and　soda？〃　inquired　Raffles；　when　the　convict　was　in　the　chair　from　which　I　had　leapt。

〃No；　I　drink　it　neat；〃　replied　Crawshay；　〃but　I　talk　business　first。　　You　don't　get　over　me　like　that；　Lor'　love　yer！〃

〃Well；　then；　what　can　I　do　for　you？〃

〃You　know　without　me　tellin'　you。〃

〃Give　it　a　name。〃

〃Clean　heels；　then；　that's　what　I　want　to　show；　and　I　leaves　the　way　to　you。　　We're　brothers　in　arms；　though　I　ain't　armed　this　time。　　It　ain't　necessary。　　You've　too　much　sense。　　But　brothers　we　are；　and　you'll　see　a　brother　through。　　Let's　put　it　at　that。　　You'll　see　me　through　in　yer　own　way。　　I　leaves　it　all　to　you。〃

His　tone　was　rich　with　conciliation　and　concession；　he　bent　over　and　tore　a　pair　of　button　boots　from　his　bare　feet；　which　he　stretched　towards　the　fire；　painfully　uncurling　his　toes。

〃I　hope　you　take　a　larger　size　than　them；〃　said　he。　　〃I'd　have　had　a　see　if　you'd　given　me　time。　I　wasn't　in　long　afore　you。〃

〃And　you　won't　tell　me　how　you　got　in？〃

〃Wot's　the　use？　　I　can't　teach　YOU　nothin'。　　Besides；　I　want　out。　　I　want　out　of　London；　an'　England；　an'　bloomin'　Europe　too。　　That's　all　I　want　of　you；　mister。　　I　don't　arst　how　YOU　go　on　the　job。　　You　know　w'ere　I　come　from；　'cos　I　'eard　you　say；　you　know　w'ere　I　want　to　'ead　for；　'cos　I've　just　told　yer；　the　details　I　leaves　entirely　to　you。〃

〃Well；〃　said　Raffles；　〃we　must　see　what　can　be　done。〃

〃We　must；〃　said　Mr。　Crawshay；　and　leaned　back　comfortably；　and　began　twirling　his　stubby　thumbs。

Raffles　turned　to　me　with　a　twinkle　in　his　eye；　but　his　forehead　was　scored　with　thought；　and　resolve　mingled　with　resignation　in　the　lines　of　his　mouth。　　And　he　spoke　exactly　as　though　he　and　I　were　alone　in　the　room。

〃You　seize　the　situation；　Bunny？　　If　our　friend　here　is　'copped；'　to　speak　his　language；　he　means　to　'blow　the　gaff'　on　you　and　me。　　He　is　considerate　enough　not　to　say　so　in　so　many　words；　but　it's　plain　enough；　and　natural　enough　for　that　matter。　　I　would　do　the　same　in　his　place。　　We　had　the　bulge　before；　he　has　it　now；　it's　perfectly　fair。　We　must　take　on　this　job；　we　aren't　in　a　position　to　refuse　it；　even　if　we　were；　I　should　take　it　on！　　Our　friend　is　a　great　sportsman；　he　has　got　clear　away　from　Dartmoor；　it　would　be　a　thousand　pities　to　let　him　go　back。　　Nor　shall　he；　not　if　I　can　think　of　a　way　of　getting　him　abroad。〃

〃Any　way　you　like；〃　murmured　Crawshay；　with　his　eyes　shut。　　〃I　leaves　the　'ole　thing　to　you。〃

〃But　you'll　have　to　wake　up　and　tell　us　things。〃

〃All　right；　mister；　but　I'm　fair　on　the　rocks　for　a　sleep！〃

And　he　stood　up；　blinking。

〃Think　you　were　traced　to　town？〃

〃Must　have　been。〃

〃And　here？〃

〃Not　in　this　fognot　with　any　luck。〃

Raffles　went　into　the　bedroom；　lit　the　gas　there；　and　returned　next　minute。

〃So　you　got　in　by　the　window？〃

〃That's　about　it。〃

〃It　was　devilish　smart　of　you　to　know　which　one；　it　beats　me　how　you　brought　it　off　in　daylight；　fog　or　no　fog！　　But　let　that　pass。　　You　don't　think　you　were　seen？〃

〃I　don't　think　it；　sir。〃

〃Well；　let's　hope　you　are　right。　　I　shall　reconnoitre　and　soon　find　out。　　And　you'd　better　come　too；　Bunny；　and　have　something　to　eat　and　talk　it　over。〃

As　Raffles　looked　at　me；　I　looked　at　Crawshay；　anticipating　trouble；　and　trouble　brewed　in　his　blank；　fierce　face；　in　the　glitter　of　his　startled　eyes；　in　the　sudden　closing　of　his　fists。

〃And　what's　to　become　o'　me？〃　he　cried　out　with　an　oath。

〃You　wait　here。〃

〃No；　you　don't；〃　he　roared；　and　at　a　bound　had　his　back　to　the　door。　　〃You　don't　get　round　me　like　that；　you　cuckoos！〃

Raffles　turned　to　me　with　a　twitch　of　the　shoulders。　　〃That's　the　worst　of　these　professors；〃　said　he；　〃they　never　will　use　their　heads。　　They　see　the　pegs；　and　they　mean　to　hit　'em；　but　that's　all　they　do　see　and　mean；　and　they　think　we're　the　same。　No　wonder　we　licked　them　last　time！〃

〃Don't　talk　through　yer　neck；〃　snarled　the　convict。　　〃Talk　out　straight；　curse　you！〃

〃Right；〃　said　Raffles。　　〃I'll　talk　as　straight　as　you　like。　　You　say　you　put　yourself　in　my　handsyou　leave　it　all　to　meyet　you　don't　trust　me　an　inch！　　I　know　what's　to　happen　if　I　fail。　　I　accept　the　risk。　　I　take　this　thing　on。　　Yet　you　think　I'm　going　straight　out　to　give　you　away　and　make　you　give　me　away　in　my　turn。　　You're　a　fool；　Mr。　Crawshay；　though　you　have　broken　Dartmoor；　you've　got　to　listen　to　a　better　man；　and　obey　him。　I　see　you　through　in　my　own　way；　or　not　at　all。　I　come　and　go　as　I　like；　and　with　whom　I　like；　without　your　interference；　you　stay　here　and　lie　just　as　low　as　you　know　how；　be　as　wise　as　your　word；　and　leave　the　whole　thing　to　me。　　If　you　won'tif　you're　fool　enough　not　to　trust　methere's　the　door。　　Go　out　and　say　what　you　like；　and　be　damned　to　you！〃

Crawshay　slapped　his　thigh。

〃That's　talking！〃　said　he。　　〃Lord　love　yer；　I　know　where　I　am　when　you　talk　like　that。　　I'll　trust　yer。　　I　know　a　man　when　he　gets　his　tongue　between　his　teeth；　you're　all　right。　　I　don't　say　so　much　about　this　other　gent；　though　I　saw　him　along　with　you　on　the　job　that　time　in　the　provinces；　but　if　he's　a　pal　of　yours；　Mr。　Raffles；　he'll　be　all　right　too。　　I　only　hope　you　gents　ain't　too　stony〃

And　he　touched　his　pockets　with　a　rueful　face。

〃I　only　went　for　their　togs；〃　said　he。　　〃You　never　struck　two　such　stony…broke　cusses　in　yer　life！〃

〃That's　all　right；〃　said　Raffles。　　〃We'll　see　you　through　properly。　　Leave　it　to　us；　and　you　sit　tight。〃

〃Rightum！〃　said　Crawshay。　　〃And　I'll　have　a　sleep　time　you're　gone。　　But　no　sperritsno；　thank'eenot　yet！　　Once　let　me　loose　on　the　lush；　and；　Lord　love　yer；　I'm　a　gone　coon！〃

Raffles　got　his　overcoat；　a　long；　light　driving…coat；　I　remember；　and　even　as　he　put　it　on　our　fugitive　was　dozing　in　the　chair；　we　left　him　murmuring　incoherently；　with　the　gas　out；　and　his　bare　feet　toasting。

〃Not　such　a　bad　chap；　that　professor；〃　said　Raffles　on　the　stairs；　〃a　real　genius　in　his　way；　too；　though　his　methods　are　a　little　elementary　for　my　taste。　　But　technique　isn't　everything；　to　get　out　of　Dartmoor　and　into　the　Albany　in　the　same　twenty…four　hours　is　a　whole　that　justifies　its　parts。　　Good　Lord！〃

We　had　passed　a　man　in　the　foggy　courtyard；　and　Raffles　had　nipped　my　arm。

〃Who　was　it？〃

〃The　last　man　we　want　to　see！　　I　hope　to　heaven　he　didn't　hear　me！〃

〃But　who　is　he；　Raffles？〃

〃Our　old　friend　Mackenzie；　from　the　Yard！〃

I　stood　still　with　horror。

〃Do　you　think　he's　on　Crawshay's　track？〃

〃I　don't　know。　　I'll　find　out。〃

And　before　I　could　remonstrate　he　had　wheeled　me　round；　when　I　found　my　voice　he　merely　laughed；　and　whispered　that　the　bold　course　was　the　safe　one　every　time。

〃But　it's　madness〃

〃Not　it。　　Shut　up！　　Is　that　YOU；　Mr。　Mackenzie？〃

The　detective　turned　about　and　scrutinized　us　keenly；　and　through　the　gaslit　mist　I　noticed　that　his　hair　was　grizzled　at　the　temples；　and　his　face　still　cadaverous；　from　the　wound　that　had　nearly　been　his　death。

〃Ye　have　the　advantage　o'　me；　sirs；〃　said　he。

〃I　hope　you're　fit　again；〃　said　my　companion。　〃My　name　is　Raffles；　and　we　met　at　Milchester　last　year。〃

〃Is　that　a　fact？〃　cried　the　Scotchman；　with　quite　a　start。　　〃Yes；　now　I　remember　your　face；　and　yours　too；　sir。　　Ay；　yon　was　a　bad　business；　but　it　ended　vera　well；　an'　that's　the　main　thing。〃

His　native　caution　had　returned　to　him。　　Raffles　pinched　my　arm。

〃Yes；　it　ended　splendidly；　but　for　you；〃　said　he。　〃But　what　about　this　escape　of　the　leader　of　the　gang；　that　fellow　Crawshay？　　What　do　you　think　of　that；　eh？〃

〃I　havena　the　parteeculars；〃　replied　the　Scot。

〃Good！〃　cried　Raffles。　　〃I　was　only　afraid　you　might　be　on　his　tracks　once　more！〃

Mackenzie　shook　his　head　with　a　dry　smile；　and　wished　us　good　evening　as　an　invisible　window　was　thrown　up；　and　a　whistle　blown　softly　through　the　fog。

〃We　must　see　this　out；〃　whispered　Raffles。　〃Nothing　more　natural　than　a　little　curiosity　on　our　part。　　After　him；　quick！〃

And　we　followed　the　detective　into　another　entrance　on　the　same　side　as　that　from　which　we　had　emerged；　the　left…hand　side　on　one's　way　to　Piccadilly；　quite　openly　we　followed　him；　and　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs　met　one　of　the　porters　of　the　place。　　Raffles　asked　him　what　was　wrong。

〃Nothing；　sir；〃　said　the　fellow　glibly。

〃Rot！〃　said　Raffles。　　〃That　was　Mackenzie；　the　detective。　　I've　just　been　speaking　to　him。　What's　he　here　for？　　Come　on；　my　good　fellow；　we　won't　give　you　away；　if　you've　instructions　not　to　tell。〃

The　man　looked　quaintly　wistful；　the　temptation　of　an　audience　hot　upon　him；　a　door　shut　upstairs；　and　he　fell。

〃It