The Burglars' Club: A Romance in Twelve Chronicles

type-written letter with distinct feel

Club, conditional upon your attendance on the 5th proximo with the Grea

n. Sec

ump. But what on earth's the Great Seal of th

l of the United Kingdom was the property of the Lord Chancellor for the time being, that it was a very important object indeed, its impression being requisite at the foot of the highest

this is going to be the best thing I have had on since I walked across Thibet d

silver, another always carried it about with him in a special pocket, and slept with it under his pillow; while a third stored it at t

present man probably keeps it where any other common-sense fellow would. He'll have a library, so it may be there. He's a good liver, so it may be in a

ct for robbery as a metropolitan magistrate could have wished. The spiked railings in front and the high wall at the back would have suggested to most people the

was in evening dress, believing that to be the safest disguise for a general burglar. He dropped lightly on the turf, and then made his way across to the house and commenced a careful inspection of the basement windows. To his intense s

, Mr. Richard Hilton stood wondering which of the four doors on his left led to the library. One after another he cautiously opened them, only to find living or reception rooms. He crossed the hall, and got into the billiard-room. Where on earth was the Lord Ch

lor's library. But, Heaven

ay; but the singularity of the ot

andle by his side. What on earth was he doing? Had he surprised the Lord High Chancellor, t

Hilton forward. As he drew nearer, the situation unfolded itse

t into the wall. He was drilling hole

a real

pecting each moment to be discovered. Then, as the man continued absorbed in his work, Mr. Hilton sank noiselessly into an

turned to reach another tool. In so doing his eye caught sight of a patent leather boot and a trouser leg, where before there had been empty space. The phenomenon f

o understand the situation. There is no immediate cause for anxiety. I am-er-a friend in disg

s are you?" as

e profession-a top-sawyer or a swell mobsman, I f

urglar. "Can't you put that thin

nothing at all to do with my game. You go on drilling those nice little holes

YOUR MOST INTERESTI

a mug?" asked the

his instrument goes off on the slightest provo

ive much encouragement from Mr. Hilton's occasional promptings. Every now and then he looked round

lf and pigeon-hole was rummaged, but there was nothing but letters and documents. There were two drawers belo

he cried tr

ha

E gets it on the fust of ev'ry

you kno

more, but I've mos'ly been a-doin' time since I--" He stopped s

money back," s

t f

e I tel

rouble I've 'ad?

. You shan't

d'ye

he safe, but it may be in some other drawer in t

thschild?" said the burglar sarcastically.

my sovereign purse, and these links, and I think-yes, here's

lar was

ground. I wish we could 'ave met sooner. It would 'ave saved my ole woman many a weary six m

he lot, William," said

you're lookin' for?" he asked. "'As the guv'n'r cut you orf w

king for

illiam, with a spo

ne, made of silver, and about six inches a

et below some bookshelves. While the burglar was busy with the locks Hilton turned over the papers on the desk. The first was headed, "House of Lords: Gibbins v. Gibb

ly he lifted the lid of the desk. A large leather case fitted exactly into

ut this,

drew out a richly embroider

d eagerl

citement. For it was the Gre

d then felt its weight. "Five quid," h

it carefully

oth turned sharply towards the door. There in his dressing-gown stood an old gentleman. Hilton had often seen those

here?" came the st

Hilton deferentially. "May I ask your lordship to be good

ire on me, sir?" sai

se your lordship would not hunt next season with

chair. "You are a bold ma

And so is my partner, Mr. William

He was gazing intently

'Ardy?" he asked

be," replied

"Then I says to yer face you'r

er, gently, pra

kes with the earnestness of conviction. "An' I

ancellor, with some in

wot 'ad follered me inter 'Ampshire. A sickenin' 'ash you made of it. You

"He forgets himself strangely when he's excite

re I'd be quits with 'im one day, an', holy Moses, it's my go now." Saying

ed. "If you dare to touch hi

m hesi

ore I count three I'll lam

retired

d he's always dangerous when excited. We will retire. Before I go, I wish to give you my word of honour t

r!" repeated his lordshi

s revenge upon you to-night, and the Woolsack have lost its brightest ornament. In return, I ask your lordship to give me y

st 'im," said William. "I'll do the

ou may be sure he will keep it-even with thieves. The age of chivalry

our hands.

ointed to the door

te later the two had left the room. In five minutes they had scaled th

es looked round

s once a noted bruiser, is close at hand. I don't really think it would be safe for you to call again. Now you want your money. I will write a chequ

iam. "I never was any good at it," he added pensiv

ry impulsive. Ah, here we are. Three fivers and two-four-six in gold. That makes twenty-one. And where's the sovereign purse I gave you? Thank you. Here are four more: that makes twenty-five; and you have ten: that is thirty-five. Now I'll make a cheque out for the

at for?" asked Wi

But until three o'clock the game is in your hands. Now it's time for you to have your beauty sleep. I am much obliged for your

be, an' I knows it. Wot with work an' worry, an' worry an' work, it don't 'ave a fair chance. 'Ere you are, Cap'n."

d locked it up in a secret drawer in his bureau. Then he reti

one o'clock before he left his rooms

T

AT

GL

OL

ght a paper, and turned to the

he Lord Chancellor. His lordship, being unable to sleep, came downstairs about two o'clock, intending to complete an impor

land, and ￡250 in gold

rd Chancellor is the head of the judicial system of the country, and, aft

since it was stolen from Lord Thurlow's residence in 1784. Only once bef

was to have been signed to-morrow, and the Great Seal affixed thereto. We understand that the Privy C

least one of the criminals. We do not know whether any special penalty is attached to the theft of

nd notes missing" held him spellbound. Suddenly light dawned upon him, and he burst out with "Done! And by William

er he was at th

le to bearer, made out to self and en

teller. "It was presented first thing

el of the Welsh Guards. There was a record attendance. The robbery of the Great Seal had excited g

ormalities had been gone

or Mr. Richard Hilton, a cadet

eral silence, which was mai

een the paragraph in the papers stating that the Great Seal is missing from the Lord Chancellor's House, and, in addition to that, ￡250 in notes and gold. No explanation is

but I have promised the Lord Chancellor to return anything we took away with us. I shall, therefore, have to send him a further like sum. I do not grudge the loss of ￡500, since I have been enabled to qualify as a member of your club, but I do mo

ch member rose to his feet and acclaimed the speake

him as one who has already added lustre to our annals. The circumstances of his entry are so unusual that, as a mark of our appreciation, I beg to move that the provincial

n was carried

n, I thank you," said th

at noon a postal packet was delivered at Shipley House, which, on being opened, disclosed an old b

rea was signed with the usual for

fferent quarters registered parcels, each weighing about a

eration thereof he cancelled his instructions to Scotland Yard to follow up a clue which M

asked for the favour of an explanation of the whole incident. This was not forthcomin

a little public house known as the "Goat and Compasses." For some reason or other he altered the name to

ht in question, Mr. Sikes spends so

ly satisfactory. He was the only loser, but he had gained more t