he
present opportunity of signifying the fact for all it is worth. Every
nation is laying of its best at her royal feet; every class in the
community is doing its little level--except ours. All I have done is
to remove one reproach from our fraternity."

At this I came round, was infected with his spirit, called him the
sportsman he always was and would be, and shook his daredevil hand in
mine; but, at the same time, I still had my qualms.

"Supposing they trace it to us?" said I.

"There's not much to catch hold of in a biscuit-box by Huntley &
Palmer," replied Raffles; "that was why I sent you for one. And I
didn't write a word upon a sheet of paper which could possibly be
traced. I simply printed two or three on a virginal post-card--another
half-penny to the bad--which might have been bought at any post-office
in the kingdom. No, old chap, the G.P.O. was the one real danger;
there was one detective I spotted for myself; and the sight of him has
left me with a thirst. Whisky and Sullivans for two, Bunny, if you
please."

Raffles was soon clinking his glass against mine.

"The Queen," said he. "God bless her!"

THE FATE OF FAUSTINA

"Mar--ga--ri,
e perzo a Salvatore! Mar--ga--ri,
Ma l'ommo e cacciatore! Mar--ga--ri,
Nun ce aje corpa tu!
Chello ch' e fatto, e fatto, un ne parlammo cchieu!"

A piano-organ was pouring the metallic music through our open windows,
while a voice of brass brayed the words, which I have since obtained,
and print above for identification by such as know their Italy better
than I. They will not thank me for reminding them of a tune so lately
epidemic in that land of aloes and blue skies; but at least it is
unlikely to run in their heads as the ribald accompaniment to a
tragedy; and it does in mine.

It was in the early heat of August, and the hour that of the lawful and
necessary siesta for such as turn night into day. I was therefore
shutting my window in a rage, and wondering whether I should not do
the same for Raffles, when he appeared in the silk pajamas to which the
chronic solicitude of Dr. Theobald confined him from morning to night.

"Don't do that, Bunny," said he. "I rather like that thing, and want
to listen. What sort of fellows are they to look at, by the way?"

I put my head out to see, it being a primary rule of our quaint
establishment that Raffles must never show himself at any of the
windows. I remember now how hot the sill w