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--es."

"At the Albany?"

"No, no; at Maguire's."

"You never said so. And where's Maguire?"

"In Half-moon Street."

"I know that. Is he there now?"

"No--not come in yet--and I'm caught."

"Caught!"

"In that trap he bragged about. It serves me right. I didn't believe
in it. But I'm caught at last ... caught ... at last!"

"When he told us he set it every night! Oh, Raffles, what sort of a
trap is it? What shall I do? What shall I bring?"

But his voice had grown fainter and wearier with every answer, and now
there was no answer at all. Again and again I asked Raffles if he was
there; the only sound to reach me in reply was the low metallic hum of
the live wire between his ear and mine. And then, as I sat gazing
distractedly at my four safe walls, with the receiver still pressed to
my head, there came a single groan, followed by the