as much a
character as the other, and between the two of them I'm at my wits'
end."

"So you put that advertisement in the paper?" said Raffles, in the dry
tones he had adopted throughout the interview.

"As a last resort. I did."

"And you wish us to STEAL this picture?"

It was magnificently said; the lawyer flushed from his hair to his
collar.

"I knew you were not the men!" he groaned. "I never thought of men of
your stamp! But it's not stealing," he exclaimed heatedly; "it's
recovering stolen property. Besides, Sir Bernard will pay him his five
thousand as soon as he has the picture; and, you'll see, old Craggs
will be just as loath to let it come out as Sir Bernard himself. No,
no--it's an enterprise, an adventure, if you like--but not stealing."

"You yourself mentioned the law," murmured Raffles.

"And the risk," I added.

"We pay for that," he said once more.

"But not enough," said Raffles, shaking his head. "My good sir,
consider what it means to us. You spoke of those clubs; we should not
only get kicked out of them, but put in prison like common burglars!
It's true we're hard up, but it simply isn't worth it at the price.
Double your stakes, and I for one am your man."

Addenbrooke wavered.

"Do you think you could bring it off?"

"We could try."

"But you have no--"

"Experience? Well, hardly!"

"And you would really run the risk for four thousand pounds?"

Raffles looked at me. I nodded.

"We would," said he, "and blow the odds!"

"It's more than I can ask my client to pay," said Addenbrooke, growing
firm.

"Then it's more than you can expect us to risk."

"You are in earnest?"

"God wot!"

"Say three thousand if you succeed!"

"Four is our figure, Mr. Addenbrooke."

"Then I think it should be nothing if you fail."

"Doubles or quits?" cried Raffles. "Well, that's sporting. Done!"

Addenbrooke opened his lips, half rose, then sat back in his chair, and
looked long and shrewdly at Raffles--never once at me.

"I know your bowling," said he reflectively. "I go up to Lord's
whenever I want an hour's real rest, and I've seen you bowl again and
again--yes, and take the best wickets in England on a plumb pitch. I
don't forget the last Gentleman and Players; I was there. You're up to
every trick--every one ... I'm inclined to think that if anybody could
bowl out this old Australian ... Damme, I believe you're my very man!"

The bargain was clinched at the Cafe