with a different intonation. Not that I had never
heard of that most powerful and sinister of secret societies; but I
failed to see on what grounds Raffles should jump to the conclusion
that these everyday organ-grinders belonged to it.

"It was one of Corbucci's threats," said he. "If I killed him the
Camorra would certainly kill me; he kept on telling me so; it was like
his cunning not to say that he would put them on my tracks whether or
no."

"He is probably a member himself!"

"Obviously, from what he said."

"But why on earth should you think that these fellows are?" I demanded,
as that brazen voice came rasping through a second verse.

"I don't think. It was only an idea. That thing is so thoroughly
Neapolitan, and I never heard it on a London organ before. Then again,
what should bring them back here?"

I peeped through the blind in my turn; and, to be sure, there was the
fellow with the blue chin and the white teeth watching our windows,
and ours only, as he bawled.

"And why?" cried Raffles, his eyes dancing when I told him.

"Why should they come sneaking back to us? Doesn't that look
suspicious, Bunny; doesn't that promise a lark?"

"Not to me," I said, having the smile for once. "How many people,
should you imagine, toss them five shilling for as many minutes of
their infernal row? You seem to forget that's what you did an hour
ago!"

Raffles had forgotten. His blank face confessed the fact. Then
suddenly he burst outlaughing at himself.

"Bunny," said he, "you've no imagination, and I never knew I had so
much! Of course you're right. I only wish you were not, for there's
nothing I should enjoy more than taking on another Neapolitan or two.
You see, I owe them something still! I didn't settle in full. I owe
them more than ever I shall pay them on this side Styx!"

He had hardened even as he spoke: the lines and the years had come
again, and his eyes were flint and steel, with an honest grief behind
the glitter.

THE LAST LAUGH

As I have had occasion to remark elsewhere, the pick of our exploits,
from a frankly criminal point of view, are of least use for the
comparatively pure purposes of these papers. They might be appreciated
in a trade journal (if only that want could be supplied), by skilled
manipulators of the jemmy and the large light bunch; but, as records of
unbroken yet insignificant success, they would be found at once too
trivial and too technical, if n