erved!"

Nor, after all these years, can I think it will be mine.

NINE POINTS OF THE LAW

"Well," said Raffles, "what do you make of it?"

I read the advertisement once more before replying. It was in the last
column of the Daily Telegraph, and it ran:

TWO THOUSAND POUNDS REWARD--The above sum may be earned by any one
qualified to undertake delicate mission and prepared to run certain
risk.--Apply by telegram, Security, London.

"I think," said I, "it's the most extraordinary advertisement that ever
got into print!"

Raffles smiled.

"Not quite all that, Bunny; still, extraordinary enough, I grant you."

"Look at the figure!"

"It is certainly large."

"And the mission--and the risk!"

"Yes; the combination is frank, to say the least of it. But the really
original point is requiring applications by telegram to a telegraphic
address! There's something in the fellow who thought of that, and
something in his game; with one word he chokes off the million who
answer an advertisement every day--when they can raise the stamp. My
answer cost me five bob; but then I prepaid another."

"You don't mean to say that you've applied?"

"Rather," said Raffles. "I want two thousand pounds as much as any
man."

"Put your own name?"

"Well--no, Bunny, I didn't. In point of fact I smell something
interesting and illegal, and you know what a cautious chap I am. I
signed myself Glasspool, care of Hickey, 38, Conduit Street; that's my
tailor, and after sending the wire I went round and told him what to
expect. He promised to send the reply along the moment it came. I
shouldn't be surprised if that's it!"

And he was gone before a double-knock on the outer door had done
ringing through the rooms, to return next minute with an open telegram
and a face full of news.

"What do you think?" said he. "Security's that fellow Addenbrooke, the
police-court lawyer, and he wants to see me INSTANTER!"

"Do you know him, then?"

"Merely by repute. I only hope he doesn't know me. He's the chap who
got six weeks for sailing too close to the wind in the Sutton-Wilmer
case; everybody wondered why he wasn't struck off the rolls. Instead
of that he's got a first-rate practice on the seamy side, and every
blackguard with half a case takes it straight to Bennett Addenbrooke.
He's probably the one man who would have the cheek to put in an
advertisement like that, and the one man who could do it without
exciting suspic