I
cannot say how Raffles obtained all. this information. I only know
that it proved correct in each particular. I was not indeed deeply
interested before the event, since Raffles assured me that it was
"a one-man job," and naturally intended to be the one man himself.
It was only at the eleventh hour that our positions were inverted
by the wholly unexpected selection of Raffles for the English team
in the Second Test Match.
In a flash I saw the chance of my criminal career. It was some
years since Raffles had served his country in these encounters; he
had never thought to be called upon again, and his gratification
was only less than his embarrassment. The match was at Old
Trafford, on the third Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in July; the
other affair had been all. arranged for the Thursday night, the night
of the wedding at East Molesey. It was for Raffles to choose
between the two excitements, and for once I helped him to make up
his mind. I duly pointed out to him that in Surrey, at all. events,
I was quite capable of taking his place. Nay, more, I insisted at
once on my prescriptive right and on his patriotic obligation in
the matter.
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