It was a southern county, and I
never went down there without missing another greenhouse and noting
a corresponding extension to the stables. Not that I ever set foot
in the grounds from the day we left; but for some years I used to
visit old friends in the neighborhood, and could never resist the
temptation to reconnoiter the scenes of my childhood. And so far
as could be seen from the road - which it stood too near - the house
itself appeared to be the one thing that the horsey purchaser had
left much as he found it.
My only other excuse may be none at all. in any eyes but mine. It
was my passionate desire at this period to "keep up my end" with
Raffles in every department of the game felonious. He would insist
upon an equal division of all. proceeds; it was for me to earn my
share. So far I had been useful only at a pinch; the whole credit
of any real success belonged invariably to Raffles. It had always
been his idea. That was the tradition which I sought to end, and
no means could compare with that of my unscrupulous choice. There
was the one house in England of which I knew every inch, and Raffles
only what I told him.
Pages:
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247