nd he thrust out a shaggy hand.

"After that," said Raffles, taking it, "what am I to say? But you must
have heard my opinion of you. I am proud to make your acquaintance.
How the deuce did you get in?"

"Never you mind," said Crawshay, loosening his collar; "let's talk
about how I'm to get out. Lord love yer, but that's better!"

There was a livid ring round his bull-neck, that he fingered tenderly.
"Didn't know how much longer I might have to play the gent," he
explained; "didn't know who you'd bring in."

"Drink whiskey and soda?" inquired Raffles, when the convict was in the
chair from which I had leapt.

"No, I drink it neat," replied Crawshay, "but I talk business first.
You don't get over me like that, Lor' love yer!"

"Well, then, what can I do for you?"

"You know without me tellin' you."

"Give it a name."

"Clean heels, then; that's what I want to show, and I leaves the way to
you. We're brothers in arms, though I ain't armed this time. It ain't
necessary. You've too much sense. But brothers we are, and you'll see
a brother through. Let's put it at that. You'll see me through in yer
own way. I leaves it all to you."

His tone was rich with conciliation and concession; he bent over and
tore a pair of button boots from his bare feet, which he stretched
towards the fire, painfully uncurling his toes.

"I hope you take a larger size than them," said he. "I'd have had a
see if you'd given me time. I wasn't in long afore you."

"And you won't tell me how you got in?"

"Wot's the use? I can't teach YOU nothin'. Besides, I want out. I
want out of London, an' England, an' bloomin' Europe too. That's all I
want of you, mister. I don't arst how YOU go on the job. You know
w'ere I come from, 'cos I 'eard you say; you know w'ere I want to 'ead
for, 'cos I've just told yer; the details I leaves entirely to you."

"Well," said Raffles, "we must see what can be done."

"We must," said Mr. Crawshay, and leaned back comfortably, and began
twirling his stubby thumbs.

Raffles turned to me with a twinkle in his eye; but his forehead was
scored with thought, and resolve mingled with resignation in the lines
of his mouth. And he spoke exactly as though he and I were alone in
the room.

"You seize the situation, Bunny? If our friend here is 'copped,' to
speak his language, he means to 'blow the gaff' on you and me. He is
considerate enough not to say so in so many words, but it's plain
enoug