It happened to have come to light among
others at the Old Bailey, and perhaps had its share in promoting
the quality of mercy which had undoubtedly been exercised on my
behalf. But the present recital was unduly trying, and Raffles
created a noble diversion by calling attention to an early photograph
of himself, which may still hang on the wall over the historic chest,
but which I had carefully ignored. It shows him in flannels, after
some great feat upon the tented field. I am afraid there is a
Sullivan between his lips, a look of lazy insolence in the half-shut
eyes. I have since possessed myself of a copy, and it is not Raffles
at his best; but the features are clean-cut and regular; and I often
wish that I had lent it to the artistic gentlemen who have battered
the statue out of all. likeness to the man.
"You wouldn't think it of him, would you?" quoth the clerk. "It
makes you understand how no one ever did think it of him at the
time."
The youth was looking full at Raffles, with the watery eyes of
unsuspecting innocence. I itched to emulate the fine bravado of
my friend.
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