commit one burglary, therefore I
was a burglar, too. Yet I could stand and warm myself by his fire, and
watch him empty his pockets, as though we had done nothing wonderful or
wicked!

My blood froze. My heart sickened. My brain whirled. How I had liked
this villain! How I had admired him! Now my liking and admiration
must turn to loathing and disgust. I waited for the change. I longed
to feel it in my heart. But--I longed and I waited in vain!

I saw that he was emptying his pockets; the table sparkled with their
hoard. Rings by the dozen, diamonds by the score; bracelets, pendants,
aigrettes, necklaces, pearls, rubies, amethysts, sapphires; and
diamonds always, diamonds in everything, flashing bayonets of light,
dazzling me--blinding me--making me disbelieve because I could no
longer forget. Last of all came no gem, indeed, but my own revolver
from an inner pocket. And that struck a chord. I suppose I said
something--my hand flew out. I can see Raffles now, as he looked at me
once more with a high arch over each clear eye. I can see him pick out
the cartridges with his quiet, cynical smile, before he would give me
my pistol back again.

"You mayn't believe it, Bunny," said he, "but I never carried a loaded
one before. On the whole I think it gives one confidence. Yet it
would be very awkward if anything went wrong; one might use it, and
that's not the game at all, though I have often thought that the
murderer who has just done the trick must have great sensations before
things get too hot for him. Don't look so distressed, my dear chap.
I've never had those sensations, and I don't suppose I ever shall."

"But this much you have done before?" said I hoarsely.

"Before? My dear Bunny, you offend me! Did it look like a first
attempt? Of course I have done it before."

"Often?"

"Well--no! Not often enough to destroy the charm, at all events;
never, as a matter of fact, unless I'm cursedly hard up. Did you hear
about the Thimbleby diamonds? Well, that was the last time--and a poor
lot of paste they were. Then there was the little business of the
Dormer house-boat at Henley last year. That was mine also--such as it
was. I've never brought off a really big coup yet; when I do I shall
chuck it up."

Yes, I remembered both cases very well. To think that he was their
author! It was incredible, outrageous, inconceivable. Then my eyes
would fall upon the table, twinkling and glittering in