e sort of hold-up
you are accustomed to, son. But in real life the villain is a desperate
character armed with a gun that goes off. You forget that."

Christopher looked crestfallen and flushed uncomfortably.

"Perhaps I am shaking your courage a little and you won't be so eager to
go to town with me," jested Mr. Burton.

"On the contrary, the scheme appeals to me more than ever."

"You actually hanker to meet a bandit or two?"

"It would certainly add a thrill to life to encounter a bandit," grinned
Christopher.

"Add a thrill!" Mr. Button sniffed. "Add a thrill! Well, I will tell you
right now that when you feel a desire for a thrill like that coming on,
you can go straight to the movies and indulge it. You shall have no such
thrills at _my_ expense," and without more ado Christopher Mark Antony
Burton, senior, lighted a fresh cigar, took up his paper, and dismissed
the matter.

CHAPTER II

CHRISTOPHER MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE

The jewelry house of Burton and Norcross occupied four stories of a
corner fronting two busy city streets and before its gem-filled windows
a group of passers-by were continually standing.

On cushions of velvet lay an alluring display of rings, broaches,
necklaces, and costly frivolities of every description while on other
cushions ticked watches varying from toy affairs on ribbons to more
serious-intentioned and dignified repeaters.

All day and indeed all night, for that matter, a white light beat down
upon this flashing outlay, and before it envious spectators flattened
their noses against the massive plate glass and dreamed idle dreams of
possession.

"Say, Jim, ain't that red stone with the diamonds round it a peach? Gee,
but I'd like a thing like that on my finger! How much do you s'pose
you'd have to pay for it?"

"A cool hundred, likely."

"Go on!"

"Sure you would. Them red stones are rubies and they cost like the
dickens. I ain't sure you wouldn't have to pay mor'n a hundred for that
ring."

"Humph! I see myself doin' it!"

"So do I!"

"Well, you needn't rub it in. Anyhow, even if I had the price, I'd
rather spend it on a Ford."

"What's the matter with havin' 'em both? You're full as likely to have
one as the other; come on. What's the good of standin' here lettin' your
mouth water over things there's no hope of your gettin'? Let's call it
off an' go to a picture show."

A moment later another pair would saunter up and stop.

"Oh, Mame, look at tha