me, but which I felt that I could forgive neither Raffles nor myself.
And that was the contused scalp wound over which I shuddered in the
train.

"And to think that I did that," I groaned, "and that you laid yourself
open to it, and that we have neither of us got another thing to show
for our night's work! That poor chap said it was as bad a night as he
had ever had in his life; but I call it the very worst that you and I
ever had in ours."

Raffles was smiling under the double lamps of the first-class
compartment that we had to ourselves.

"I wouldn't say that, Bunny. We have done worse."

"Do you mean to tell me that you did anything at all?"

"My dear Bunny," replied Raffles, "you should remember how long I had
been maturing felonious little plan, what a blow it was to me to have
to turn it over to you, and how far I had travelled to see that you did
it and yourself as well as might be. You know what I did see, and how
well I understood. I tell you again that I should have done the same
thing myself, in your place. But I was not in your place, Bunny. My
hands were not tied like yours. Unfortunately, most of the jewels have
gone on the honeymoon with the happy pair; but these emerald links are
all right, and I don't know what the bride was doing to leave this
diamond comb behind. Here, too, is the old silver skewer I've been
wanting for years--they make the most charming paper-knives in the
world--and this gold cigarette-case will just do for your smaller
Sullivans."

Nor were these the only pretty things that Raffles set out in twinkling
array upon the opposite cushions. But I do not pretend that this was
one of our heavy hauls, or deny that its chief interest still resides
in the score of the Second Test Match of that Australian tour.

A Trap to Catch a Cracksman

I was just putting out my light when the telephone rang a furious
tocsin in the next room. I flounced out of bed more asleep than awake;
in another minute I should have been past ringing up. It was one
o'clock in the morning, and I had been dining with Swigger Morrison at
his club.

"Hulloa!"

"That you, Bunny?"

"Yes--are you Raffles?"

"What's left of me! Bunny, I want you--quick."

And even over the wire his voice was faint with anxiety and
apprehension.

"What on earth has happened?"

"Don't ask! You never know--"

"I'll come at once. Are you there, Raffles?"

"What's that?"

"Are you there, man?"

"Ye--e-