May 15, 2025 • 36 mins
Step into the world of Victorian London, filled with humor, crime, and adventure. Follow a unique group of men who, having exhausted lifes pleasures, form a Burglars Club for some much-needed excitement. Here, membership comes with a price - a city burglary as an entrance fee, set by their president. Every other year, each member needs to maintain his subscription through a provincial line. This gripping tale skillfully intertwines the thrill of crime with the charm of camaraderie.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Chapter twelve of The Burglars Club, a romance in twelve chronicles.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. The Burglar's Club by Henry Augustus Herring,
(00:26):
chapter twelve, the last chronicle. Gilbert Brown, second Baron Laudersdale,
was generally regarded as being the best business man in
the country. His talent for affairs was doubtly hereditary, as
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his father had successfully kept a big emporium before seeking
the parliamentary honors, which led to higher things. His son,
in his turn, entered Parliament and quickly ran the g
amate of two under secretaryships and the Cabinet. The Lord
Lieutenancy of Ireland and the Governor Generalship of India would
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undoubtedly have been his but for the impossibility of associating
Brown's Bayswater Bazaar with those regal positions. When therefore, the
last of six successive schemes for the reorganization of the
British Army had fallen to the Parliamentary floor and broken
in pieces, it was felt that there was only one
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man who could tackle the matter and bring it to
a successful issue. Lord Lorthdale's tenure of the Postmaster Generalship
was remembered with pride by a grateful nation. Under his management,
the reply postcard business, which had hitherto dragged and lost money,
had become a popular and remunerative department, while his penny
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in the slot form of application for the government annuities
was an innovation as brilliant in conception as it was
profitable in results. When the country learned that to Lord
Lothsdale had been entrusted the task of reforming the army,
it heaved a sigh of content, for it knew that
the work was now as good as done. And when
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the news reached the continent, the officers of the Great
General Staff of the German Army were noticed to where
a sad and pensive look unusual to them. To accomplish
the work that, in the past twenty years alone had
cost thousands of lives and millions of money, besides incidentally
destroying six first class parliamentary reputations. Lord Lothesdale retired to Moore's,
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his Berkshire seat, and there, in his study overlooking the
Deer Park, he accumulated his evidence and dictated his report.
From time to time, paragraphs appeared in the papers that
Lord Lothersdale was busy at his work, or that he
was making progress therein, and at last work went round
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that he was now putting the final touches on him report,
which would be laid before the Cabinet the following week.
Then it was that His Grace of Dorchester decided that
mister Drummond Air must show the same report at the
next meeting of the Burglars Club if he wished to
continue his membership thereof George Drummond Air was a Leicestershire man,
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a next guardsman and a shooter of big game. He
received the news of his mission without comment and proceeded
to make himself acquainted with the habits of his lordship
of Lothersdale. He was still pursuing these investigations when he
read in the morning Mail Lord Lorthersdale is just completing
his work of reorganizing the British Army on paper with
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the thoroughness which we associate with his name. Not content
with revising the duties attached to the highest offices, with
altering the length of service and the pay of officer
and private his Lordship is actually winding up with suggestions
for a new full dress uniform for our soldiers. The
tradition red is to be discarded, and hughes more, in
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keeping with the ascetic taste of the age, will supplant
it in the hope of attracting a superior class of
men to the army. We hear mister Bower, the eminent tailor,
was last week at Moore's, and that to day a
member of his staff will arrive there with sample uniforms
for his Lordship's inspection. History is in making at Moore's, good,
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said Ire, with obvious satisfaction as he read this paragraph.
This fits in well, I'm in Luck's way. That was
at nine o'clock in the morning. At ten o'clock he
drove up to mister Bower's well known establishment and sent
in a card on which was printed in unostentatious letters
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mister Luke Sennett and in the bottom corner Criminal Investigation Department,
New Scotland Yard. In a few minutes he was shown
into mister Bower's private room. Mister Bower was a pon
derish gentleman. In a higher station of life, he would
have been a dean, What can I do for you,
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mister Sennat, he inquired, eyeing his visitor over the top
of his gold rimmed glasses. I have come on important business, sir,
said the pseudo senate. He went back to the door
and closed it cautiously, then deposited his hat and gloves
on the table with a precision which impressed the tailor
with a sense of deep mystery. I think you have
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just been to moors, he said, after these preliminaries. That
is so, replied the tailor with unnatural indifference. And one
of your people is going there to day with some
sample uniforms. I am going there to day with a
sample uniform. Quite so you are aware that Lord Ordersdale
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is working on a very important report. Of course I am.
Mister Sinnett came a step nearer to the tailor and
dropped his voice to an impressive whisper. What I am
going to tell you, he continued, is in the strictest confidence,
a continental power that shall be nameless, but whose identity you,
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as a man of the world, will be able to guess,
is moving heaven and Earth to get to know what
that report contains. It is certain that whatever Lord Lothersdale
suggests will be carried out by our government, and this
will immediately influence the military policy of the power in question. Moreover,
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there are some secret portions of this report which will
never be made public. Therefore, this foreign power is striving
to get sight of it before it leaves Lord Worthordale's hands.
One spy has already been detected and warned off by
our man, who is established in the village. But we
have just learnt that another agent has obtained admission to
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the house itself by taking service as a footman. On
a previous occasion, we alarmed Lord Louthersdale without any real grounds,
as it eventually turned out, and we should not care
to repeat the incident. It is therefore essential that I,
who know this man, should have the opportunity of seeing
if he really is there, without any one, not even
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his lordship, knowing who I am. With your assistance, this
will be possible. And I have come from Scotland Yard
to ask you to allow me to go with you
to Moore's to day, ostensibly as connected with your firm.
If you will assist us in this matter, you will
not find us ungrateful. Scotland Yard does not forget, and
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some day it may be in our power to be
of use to you. In the meantime, you will have
done your country a great service. Mister was considerably impressed
by this speech. He had come back from the moors
full of importance. He was most certainly assisting in preserving
the integrity of the Empire, and it was quite in
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keeping with this feeling that he should take part in
the international complication outlined by his visitor. He appeared to
weigh the matter judicially for a few minutes. Then he
said solemnly, we will give you our co operation and
this affair. Mister Sinnett, thank you, mister Bower, said the detective.
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So at one o'clock that afternoon, mister Bower, accompanied by
his new assistant, took train from Wars. In another compartment
traveled a sample corporal of the British Army, who was
to show off the uniform which mister Bower had designed
under Lord Arthdale's instructions. It was a two hours journey,
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but mister Sinnet found it all too short. In mister
Bower's improving society, for that gentleman expounded views on life
from a new standpoint. No, Sir he said, things are
not what they used to be. Gentlemen, noblemen especially I
regret the state do not display that intelligent attention to
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dress which they used to. Even within my own recollection.
Lord Lrthersdale is a notable exception. But enumerate any other
statesmen you like, and if left to their own unaided judgment,
I say it with all due deference, they would go
to pieces. I assure you, upon my honor, at the
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end of six months you would be liable to mistake
any one of them for a foreigner. You would scarcely
think it, mister Sinnott. But no less than five members
of the present government are too busy to give a
thought to their dress at all. You don't say so,
exclaimed mister Sinnett. I do bower, They say, keep your
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eye on us, and whenever you think that we are
getting shabby, make us some new clothes and we will
wear them. We leave it all to you. It is flattering, sir,
I suppose to have such reliance plaised in your judgment,
but it demonstrates the absence of shall I term it
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proper self respect, which is deplorable, absolutely deplorable. It has
made me a firm believer in the degeneration of the race.
Of course, to keep the cabinet well dressed is the
principal object of my existence, and I flatter myself that
under my superintendence, the present cabinet will compare favorably in
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taste and style with any previous one. But it is anxious,
even harassing work to decide what particular cut, cower and
texture will most suitably harmonize with each individual temperament. They
cannot afford the time for interviews, so I have to
anticipate the movements of ministers and go out of my
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way to meet them. I track them down, as it were,
and make my observations in the street as best I can.
Would you believe it, mister sinnett I was one day
actually arrested for supiciously following the Secretary of State for India.
His trousers were positively bagging at the knees. I couldn't
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take my eyes off them, and one of your smart
young constables took me to Bow Street. Most humiliating, I
call it, and all because of my devotion to duty
and the honor of the nation. Shocking, said mister sinnett I.
Sympathize with you, mister Bauer, I should like to know
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the name of that constable. Is his name was Simpson?
Archibald Simpson replied the tailor mister Sinnett made a note
of the name, and mister Bower continued. But as I
previously observed, Lord Lorthedale is a horse of another collar.
If I may make use of such an expression, it
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is an inspiration to meet him. He is the busiest
gentleman in England bar none, and he is never too
busy for a try, honor, for a consultation. He is gifted, sir.
He has ideas that would amaze you. The single breasted
frock coat was his creation. What do you think of that?
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You do astonish me, mister Bower. I had no idea
of it. I knew you had not. That is where
the greatness of the man comes in. It is his conception,
and he is fully aware that the credit of it
is a tribute to me. But he does not mind.
There is no petty jealousy of the profession about him.
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Then silk breeches for evening wear. That is another of
his grand ideas. You must have silk breeches if you
visited Moors, or you do not receive a second invitation.
He is drastic in his methods. Is my lord a
regular Roman? Mark my words, mister Sinnet. If the fashion
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takes it will be owing to the influence of Lord Uthersdale.
And once get the nation into silk breeches, and you
do not know to what heights it may attain, it
will be the beginning of a new era, the like
of which no man living has known. I only hope
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I shall be here to witness its dawn. Mister Bowers's
eyes glistened and his cheeks flushed in anticipation. Even mister
Sinnett caught a little of his enthusiasm. It was half
past three when they reached Moor's. Lord Lorthsdale could not
see them until after dinner. At that moment a Japanese
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surgeon general was with him, explaining how they managed their
field hospitals in the Far East. He had come by
special permission of the Mikado and had to return to
the seat of War by the six o'clock train. At
nine o'clock, the corporal was arrayed in the proposed new
uniform for the line. A taking arrangement in heliotrope the
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outcome of Lord Orthordale's creative genius and mister Bower's executive ability.
At nine thirty they were admitted into Lord Lorthorsdale's study.
The great man was in a genial mood, the result
no doubt of an instructive afternoon and a good dinner.
He walked round the corporal and inspected him critically by
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jove Bower. He said, at last you've done the trick capital,
and your idea of primrose facings was quite right after all.
I am glad that you approve of it, my lord,
said the beaming tailor. I do. On the contrary, will too.
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There'll be some recruiting when this gets out. Then he
knitted his brows. I think the cuffs are a shade
too deep, though I'm sure they are but half an inch. No,
a quarter will put it right. A quarter of an
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inch off a cuff, facings. Make a note of that,
said mister Bower to his assistant, who had his pocket
book ready. You'll have it done by breakfast time, please,
said Lord Lorthersdale, so that I can see how it
looks by daylight. A photographer will be here, as I
want some colored prints for the appendix. Then the little
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deputation withdrew. The whole interview had not occupied more than
five minutes, and most of that time the taleer's assistant
had been taking his bearings and trying to locate the
report that was surely it a business like foolscap volume
on the desk. The secretary was writing in it when
I entered, and later on he had carefully put it
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in the top left hand drawer. The assistant maneuvered round
to the desk during the interview, and after taking particulars
of the alterations required, he laid down his note book
and deliberately left it there. At two o'clock in the morning,
when the whole household was presumably fast asleep, mister Bower's
assistant suddenly remembered that he had left his note book downstairs,
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and decided to recover it at once rather than wait
till morning. He therefore made his way cautiously to Lord
Lorthorsdale's study. He accomplished the return journey without any untoward
event happening, but he brought back with him, in addition
to the notebook, a manuscript volume, which he deposited in
his hand bag, the alterations and the cuff facings were
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duly made by breakfast time at nine o'clock. Lord Lorthsdale
approved of the result. By nine fifteen the corporal had
been photographed in several attitudes, one of which now adorns
the recruiting posters, and by nine thirty the party was
driving to the railway station, incidentally meeting a troop of
czaars on the march to Moors for purpose of the appendix.
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That is what I call business, said mister Bower, as
they took their seats in the train at the last moment.
No time is lost in dealing with Lord Lothersdale. I
hope that you got all you wanted all, replied mister Sinnett.
We have evidently been misinformed, for the man I wanted
is not there. If we'd made a fuss about it
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to Lord Lorthsdale, we should have been. So as it is,
we are very much obliged to you, mister Bower, and
we shan't forget it. The next business, said the Honorable
Secretary at the Burglars Club meeting that same evening, is
the payment by mister Drummond Eyre of his subscription for
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the next two years by the production of Lord Lorthesdale's
report on the Army. Here, it is, said Ire, producing
a manuscript volume. A subdued murmur of applause ran round.
The President took up the book and glanced at it.
This seems to be in order, he said, turning to
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the end Lothordale's signs, he broke off. Suddenly the door
had opened without any warning, and a little sharp featured
individual entered, followed by half a dozen other men, and
the name of the King, said the first comer. I
arrest George Drummer, Ire for forloniously steel taking and carrying
away certain papers, namely a report a property of the
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right Honorable Gilbert Brown, Baron Lothersdale, And I arrest all
others present as accessories. The members rose to their feet
and simultaneously made a move towards the door, with the
evident intention of resisting the intrusion. Mister Marvell, for it was,
He held up his hand, warningly, there are more men outside,
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he said. Resistance is useless. Where's your authority for all this,
demanded the Secretary. Here, Sir, said Marble, pulling out a
bundle of papers from a capricious pocket. Here are the
warrants mister George Brummond Eyre, he called out, reading from
the pile. Here you are, sir, the Duke of Dorchester. Here,
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your grace, the Earl of Ribston. Here, my lord, a
mister Hilton, a major am Thuster, and so on to
the list of members. You will find these quite in order,
I think now, gentlemen, if you please, I have concluded
that you would prefer to ride Thompson. Fetch the Hansons round. Stop,
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called out Ribson. What are you going to do with us?
Take you to Vine Street station. Nonsense, We're not criminals.
You can argue that out with the magistrate tomorrow, my lord,
said the detective. Here are the warrants and I am
going to execute them. If the proceedings are not in order,
you can claim reparation in the usual way. Now, gentlemen, please,
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if you will give your word to come quietly, you
will save time and trouble. And does the Home Secretary
know this, asked the Duke. We don't report police court details,
the Home Secretary said Marble acidly, No, sir, he doesn't. Don't.
I demand to see him before these warrants are executed,
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said Dorchester. Impossible, your grace, said Marvel, who twice before
had been defrauded of his legitimate prey. Not again was
he going to run the risk of undue favor staying
the hand of justice. He had now in his possession
a batch of prisoners so notable that next day his
name would ring from one end of the world to
the other. Impossible was the obvious reply. May I write
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a letter, asked the Duke. No, your grace, you may not,
replied Marble firmly. You are now a prisoner, and you
will please come with me without more delay. Now, gentlemen,
will you pass your words to come quickly? You can
cause trouble if you like, But we are more than
equal to you in numbers, so there could only be
one end to the matter. Dorchester consulted Ribston and the Secretary.
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The others nodded reluctant. Consent. Word was given, and they
passed out. The house. Doors were flung open, and they
filed into the street, where a dozen Hansons were a line,
a dozen policemen in waiting, and a small but inevitable
crowd had collected. Ask Colonel Altamont to see the Home
Secretary at once, said Dorchester to his butler, as he
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was helped into his coat. The old man stood there,
petrified by the horror of the proceedings. He had been
in the family for generations. Three Dukes of Dorchester, had
he known in all their glory, kings, queens and potentates,
had flitted in and out of the ducal mansion with
his masters, and now he had lived to see the
last of the line taken away like a thief or
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some terrible crime. He heard the Duke's words to him,
but they conveyed no impression to his brain. He did
not reply. The police. The bustle in the hall, the
crowd outside, the driving away of the prisoners, all was
a horrible nightmare to him. Your grace said, you were
to tell Colonel Altamont to go at once to the
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Home Secretary, Mister Bolton, said the footman who had held
the Duke's coat, said Bolton. Waking from his stupor, he
caught hold of a hat and ran out of the house.
Altamont had not been able to be present that evening.
Business of importance had detained him, and he had only
just got back to his rooms when Bolton turned up.
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He started off at once to the Home Secretary and
after exasperating interviews with a footman, a butler, and a
private secretary, was at length admitted to the presence of
that high personage, who was in his dressing gown and
considerably annoyed at this interruption to his slumbers. The colonel explained,
the situation is that all, asked the Home Secretary. When
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he had finished. Yes, sir, cried the indignant Colonel. Dorchester, Ribston,
Alstrucker and a dozen others arrested by your policeman, and
you ask, is that? All? Colonel? Said the minister, emphasizing
his remarks with his forefinger in Old Bailey's style. Dorchester,
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Ribsten and the whole lot should have known better, very
much better. They've had their sport, and now they've got
to pay for it. I can't interfere. If the jury
recommend them to mercy, I'll give them the benefit of
any doubt and will save them from hanging. But that's
all I can promise. Now, have a whiskey and soda
and go to bed. Altamont declined the whisky and soda
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and left the Minister indignantly on his doorstep. He was
promptly arrested by Marvel, who had a couple of warrants
left over after depositing his prisoners at Vine Street. The
last warrant could not be served that night, as the
member in question happened to be visiting a friend in
Nova ZEMBLA mister Marvel, who good care that the news
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of the arrest of the Duke of Dorchester, the Earl
of Ribston, and the other more or less distinguished members
of the Burglars Club should be at once communicated to
the press, in case some influential friend should intervene at
the last moment and once more defraud him of his due.
The morning papers were full of the news, with the
result that the Marlborough Street Police Court was filled to
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overflowing long before the proceedings commenced. The Peerage, the Diplomatic Service,
the Commons, the Army and the Navy, the stage and
sport were well represented. Every inch of space, including the
bench itself, was filled, and fair women and brave men
were turned away. Half a dozen ordinary cases were quickly
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disposed of. Then the extraordinary case was called, and the
spectators involuntarily rose to their feet as the burglars filed
into the dock and took their stand too deep behind
the brass rail. A murmur of sympathy went round as
they stood there, some of them obviously interested in the proceedings,
others apparently bored by them. All well groomed, straight set
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up men, though their evening dress looked incongruous enough in
the daylight, and their crumpled shirt fronts did not show
to advantage. One by one, the prisoner's names were called.
One by one, the prisoners answered. Then Counsel for the
Crown stood up, and, having stated that the charge against
the prisoners was that of stealing a report the property
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of Lord Orthsdale, he opened his case and called the
first witness, mister Bower. Mister Bower entered the box and
adjusted his vince nez with extreme nicety. Under Counsel's lead,
he detailed how the so called Senate had introduced himself.
I had no doubt at all as to his bone
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offe days, said the tailor, lingering lovingly over the Latin words.
But immediately afterwards I had a wire from Moore's asking
me to postpone my visit to his lordship. I rang
up Scotland Yard to inform mister Sennett of the alteration,
and learned that he was unknown there, and then I
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informed the authorities of the whole matter, with the result
that our original intention was followed and every facility allowed
to mister Sidnet to carry out his plans done by jove,
gasped ire Lord Lorthersdale's secretary then gave evidence that the
report now produced in court was the property of his lordship.
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Of course, he added, smilingly, the real report is still
at More's. Of this one, though signed for the present
purpose by Lord Lorthsdale, has no value. It was drawn
up three years ago by a former Secretary of State
for War, he explained. Then there was formal evidence of
the arrest from mister Marble, who was allowed to speak
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at length for some time. Your Worship, he said, we
have been aware of the existence of what is called
the Burglars Club, composed of noblemen and gentlemen, such as
your worship sees before you. Our information was derived, in
the first instance from a discharged servant of one of
the members, in revenge for his dismissal. He told us
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of proceeding he had witnessed at his master's house on
one occasion when he was concealed behind a curtain in
the room. He furnished us with a list of members,
and ever since then we have had them under observation.
These gentlemen amused themselves by stealing articles of great value
or of public interest. We know for a fact that
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at one time and another they have obtained unlawful possession
of the coinar diamond, the mace of the House of Commons,
Lord Illingsworth's black pearl, announced a radium from Professor Blyight's library,
and even the Great Seal of the United Kingdom itself.
Good old Burglars, called out an admiring listener at the
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back of the court. Silence, shouted an indignant usher. We
have waited your worship until we could interfere, successfully, knowing
that it was only a question of time for us
to do so. I have twice been called in on
the occasion of a burglary committed by a member of
the club, and in each case, of course, against my wishes,
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no charge was made. In this particular instance, the member
walked straight into the trap. This closed the case for
the Crown, and counsel proceeded to urge the seriousness of
the offense and the necessity for a severe sentence, not
only as a just punishment, but as an example. Counsel
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for the prisoners now rose. He was the famous mister Spiller,
who had earned the well deserved sobriquet of the prisoner's pal.
He stood up with a twinkle in his eye and
an air of confidence that gladdened the hearts of the
ladies on the bench, Your worship, he began, I shall
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not detain the court more than a few minutes, for
I admit all the evidence that has been tendered. The
last witness gave a list of articles illegally taken by
my clients. If he wishes, I will add to the
list another half dozen instances of equal importance. Ravo, go
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to it. Spiller called out the sympathizer at the back,
whose sporting instincts were too strong for him. This time
he was surrounded by ushers and ejected. But Sir continued counsel,
when quiet had again been restored, I must emphasize a
point which has been completely and unaccountably lost sight of
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by the prosecution. Not one of the articles taken by
my clients has been retained by them for longer than
twenty four hours. Within that period, every article has been
restored to its owner restitution has always been made and
compensation given whenever compensation was necessary. We in this Court
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have many times had occasion to admire the abilities of
Miss Marvel as a detective. But I would now suggest
that he should go through a course of Stevens's commentaries
in order to obtain a little knowledge of the law
which he is in the constant habit of putting into force.
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I cannot too strongly denounce the unwarrantable action of Scotland
Yard in submitting my clients to the indignity of an arrest,
and these proceedings upon the evidence in their possession. They
must know or their office boy or charwoman is capable
of instructing them. In the fact that by English law,
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no person can be guilty of larceny who does not
intend permanently to deprive its owner of the article which
he has gained possession. Mere conversion, though accompanied by trespass,
is nothing more than a civil wrong, for which possibly
my clients might be liable to a farthing damages. Surely concluded,
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mister Spiller, life is dull and prosaic enough without this
high handed and unwarranted attempt of Scotland Yard to extinguish
an original, if not laudable, effort on the part of
my clients to add to the dexterity and the gaiety
of the nation. Your worship, I submit there is no
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evidence against my clients, and ask for the immediate discharge
of the prisoners. As mister Spiller spoke, the countenance of
the prosecuting council was observed to become exceedingly gloomy, while
mister Marvell's complexion turned distinctly green. Then the magistrate spoke.
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He began with the usual reprimand to the spectators and
the usual threat to have the place cleared if the
ordinary decencies of a court of justice were not maintained.
Then he turned to the prisoners and said, I am
sorry to see men of your social position in the
dark before me, but you have only yourselves to thank
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for it. Your counsel has spoken of your laudable and
original effort to add to the gaiety of the nation.
People's idea of humor varies, and personally, I see nothing
very funny in what you have done. I certainly think
that your efforts might have been more worthily engaged. Some
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of you are members of the houses of Parliament, and
I really do not know how you reconciled this club
with your position as the lawmakers of the land. But
of course it may be that this is part of
the humor to which your counsel referred. With regard to
the legal aspect of the matter, it is clear that
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no criminal offense has been committed, though if Lord Lorthsdale's
desires you may have to answer elsewhere a claim for damages.
You are discharged. It was in vain that the ushers
tried to stop the cheers and went up as the
magistrate concluded, And as the doors of the dock opened
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and the prisoners came forth, but one little man crept
away from the wall of the court, unnoticed and unrejoicing.
Two days later a special meeting of the club was held,
at which it was proposed by Colonel Altamont and seconded
by the President that as according to the decision of
the Marlborough Street Police Court Magistrate, the proceedings of the
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Burglars Club are neither criminal nor humorous, and its members
run no danger of suffering personal inconvenience. It is hereby
resolved that the club has no connection with sport, and
therefore no reason for existence, and that it be disbanded
forthwith a fortnight later, the disbanding of the club was
(35:03):
celebrated by a dinner, the guest of the evening being
mister Marvel. After dessert, the detective was presented with the
minute book of the club, which had been kept in
cipher by the Honorable Secretary, who alone had the key
to it. The ex President, in making the presentation, expressed
the hope that mister Marvel would spend many happy and
(35:24):
profitable years in endeavoring to decipher it. Mister Marvel, in reply,
thanked the company for their kind reception of him and
for the gift which he would treasure. He would certainly
follow his Grace's suggestion and endeavor to decipher the minutes,
and he still hoped that with this additional evidence and
a more intimate acquaintance with the commentaries of mister Stephen,
(35:47):
he would before long be enabled to return their hospitality
at his Majesty's expense. Mister Marvell's speech was received with acclamation,
but his hopes have not been realized. This is the
last chronicle of the Burglars Club. End of chapter twelve
(36:09):
read by Todd and of the Burglars club a romance
in twelve chronicles by Henry Augustus Herring
Chapter twelve of The Burglars Club, a romance in twelve chronicles.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. The Burglar's Club by Henry Augustus Herring,
(00:26):
chapter twelve, the last chronicle. Gilbert Brown, second Baron Laudersdale,
was generally regarded as being the best business man in
the country. His talent for affairs was doubtly hereditary, as
(00:47):
his father had successfully kept a big emporium before seeking
the parliamentary honors, which led to higher things. His son,
in his turn, entered Parliament and quickly ran the g
amate of two under secretaryships and the Cabinet. The Lord
Lieutenancy of Ireland and the Governor Generalship of India would
(01:09):
undoubtedly have been his but for the impossibility of associating
Brown's Bayswater Bazaar with those regal positions. When therefore, the
last of six successive schemes for the reorganization of the
British Army had fallen to the Parliamentary floor and broken
in pieces, it was felt that there was only one
(01:31):
man who could tackle the matter and bring it to
a successful issue. Lord Lorthdale's tenure of the Postmaster Generalship
was remembered with pride by a grateful nation. Under his management,
the reply postcard business, which had hitherto dragged and lost money,
had become a popular and remunerative department, while his penny
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in the slot form of application for the government annuities
was an innovation as brilliant in conception as it was
profitable in results. When the country learned that to Lord
Lothsdale had been entrusted the task of reforming the army,
it heaved a sigh of content, for it knew that
the work was now as good as done. And when
(02:14):
the news reached the continent, the officers of the Great
General Staff of the German Army were noticed to where
a sad and pensive look unusual to them. To accomplish
the work that, in the past twenty years alone had
cost thousands of lives and millions of money, besides incidentally
destroying six first class parliamentary reputations. Lord Lothesdale retired to Moore's,
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his Berkshire seat, and there, in his study overlooking the
Deer Park, he accumulated his evidence and dictated his report.
From time to time, paragraphs appeared in the papers that
Lord Lothersdale was busy at his work, or that he
was making progress therein, and at last work went round
(02:58):
that he was now putting the final touches on him report,
which would be laid before the Cabinet the following week.
Then it was that His Grace of Dorchester decided that
mister Drummond Air must show the same report at the
next meeting of the Burglars Club if he wished to
continue his membership thereof George Drummond Air was a Leicestershire man,
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a next guardsman and a shooter of big game. He
received the news of his mission without comment and proceeded
to make himself acquainted with the habits of his lordship
of Lothersdale. He was still pursuing these investigations when he
read in the morning Mail Lord Lorthersdale is just completing
his work of reorganizing the British Army on paper with
(03:41):
the thoroughness which we associate with his name. Not content
with revising the duties attached to the highest offices, with
altering the length of service and the pay of officer
and private his Lordship is actually winding up with suggestions
for a new full dress uniform for our soldiers. The
tradition red is to be discarded, and hughes more, in
(04:02):
keeping with the ascetic taste of the age, will supplant
it in the hope of attracting a superior class of
men to the army. We hear mister Bower, the eminent tailor,
was last week at Moore's, and that to day a
member of his staff will arrive there with sample uniforms
for his Lordship's inspection. History is in making at Moore's, good,
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said Ire, with obvious satisfaction as he read this paragraph.
This fits in well, I'm in Luck's way. That was
at nine o'clock in the morning. At ten o'clock he
drove up to mister Bower's well known establishment and sent
in a card on which was printed in unostentatious letters
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mister Luke Sennett and in the bottom corner Criminal Investigation Department,
New Scotland Yard. In a few minutes he was shown
into mister Bower's private room. Mister Bower was a pon
derish gentleman. In a higher station of life, he would
have been a dean, What can I do for you,
(05:07):
mister Sennat, he inquired, eyeing his visitor over the top
of his gold rimmed glasses. I have come on important business, sir,
said the pseudo senate. He went back to the door
and closed it cautiously, then deposited his hat and gloves
on the table with a precision which impressed the tailor
with a sense of deep mystery. I think you have
(05:31):
just been to moors, he said, after these preliminaries. That
is so, replied the tailor with unnatural indifference. And one
of your people is going there to day with some
sample uniforms. I am going there to day with a
sample uniform. Quite so you are aware that Lord Ordersdale
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is working on a very important report. Of course I am.
Mister Sinnett came a step nearer to the tailor and
dropped his voice to an impressive whisper. What I am
going to tell you, he continued, is in the strictest confidence,
a continental power that shall be nameless, but whose identity you,
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as a man of the world, will be able to guess,
is moving heaven and Earth to get to know what
that report contains. It is certain that whatever Lord Lothersdale
suggests will be carried out by our government, and this
will immediately influence the military policy of the power in question. Moreover,
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there are some secret portions of this report which will
never be made public. Therefore, this foreign power is striving
to get sight of it before it leaves Lord Worthordale's hands.
One spy has already been detected and warned off by
our man, who is established in the village. But we
have just learnt that another agent has obtained admission to
(07:03):
the house itself by taking service as a footman. On
a previous occasion, we alarmed Lord Louthersdale without any real grounds,
as it eventually turned out, and we should not care
to repeat the incident. It is therefore essential that I,
who know this man, should have the opportunity of seeing
if he really is there, without any one, not even
(07:26):
his lordship, knowing who I am. With your assistance, this
will be possible. And I have come from Scotland Yard
to ask you to allow me to go with you
to Moore's to day, ostensibly as connected with your firm.
If you will assist us in this matter, you will
not find us ungrateful. Scotland Yard does not forget, and
(07:50):
some day it may be in our power to be
of use to you. In the meantime, you will have
done your country a great service. Mister was considerably impressed
by this speech. He had come back from the moors
full of importance. He was most certainly assisting in preserving
the integrity of the Empire, and it was quite in
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keeping with this feeling that he should take part in
the international complication outlined by his visitor. He appeared to
weigh the matter judicially for a few minutes. Then he
said solemnly, we will give you our co operation and
this affair. Mister Sinnett, thank you, mister Bower, said the detective.
(08:32):
So at one o'clock that afternoon, mister Bower, accompanied by
his new assistant, took train from Wars. In another compartment
traveled a sample corporal of the British Army, who was
to show off the uniform which mister Bower had designed
under Lord Arthdale's instructions. It was a two hours journey,
(08:53):
but mister Sinnet found it all too short. In mister
Bower's improving society, for that gentleman expounded views on life
from a new standpoint. No, Sir he said, things are
not what they used to be. Gentlemen, noblemen especially I
regret the state do not display that intelligent attention to
(09:16):
dress which they used to. Even within my own recollection.
Lord Lrthersdale is a notable exception. But enumerate any other
statesmen you like, and if left to their own unaided judgment,
I say it with all due deference, they would go
to pieces. I assure you, upon my honor, at the
(09:39):
end of six months you would be liable to mistake
any one of them for a foreigner. You would scarcely
think it, mister Sinnott. But no less than five members
of the present government are too busy to give a
thought to their dress at all. You don't say so,
exclaimed mister Sinnett. I do bower, They say, keep your
(10:05):
eye on us, and whenever you think that we are
getting shabby, make us some new clothes and we will
wear them. We leave it all to you. It is flattering, sir,
I suppose to have such reliance plaised in your judgment,
but it demonstrates the absence of shall I term it
(10:25):
proper self respect, which is deplorable, absolutely deplorable. It has
made me a firm believer in the degeneration of the race.
Of course, to keep the cabinet well dressed is the
principal object of my existence, and I flatter myself that
under my superintendence, the present cabinet will compare favorably in
(10:49):
taste and style with any previous one. But it is anxious,
even harassing work to decide what particular cut, cower and
texture will most suitably harmonize with each individual temperament. They
cannot afford the time for interviews, so I have to
anticipate the movements of ministers and go out of my
(11:13):
way to meet them. I track them down, as it were,
and make my observations in the street as best I can.
Would you believe it, mister sinnett I was one day
actually arrested for supiciously following the Secretary of State for India.
His trousers were positively bagging at the knees. I couldn't
(11:36):
take my eyes off them, and one of your smart
young constables took me to Bow Street. Most humiliating, I
call it, and all because of my devotion to duty
and the honor of the nation. Shocking, said mister sinnett I.
Sympathize with you, mister Bauer, I should like to know
(11:57):
the name of that constable. Is his name was Simpson?
Archibald Simpson replied the tailor mister Sinnett made a note
of the name, and mister Bower continued. But as I
previously observed, Lord Lorthedale is a horse of another collar.
If I may make use of such an expression, it
(12:20):
is an inspiration to meet him. He is the busiest
gentleman in England bar none, and he is never too
busy for a try, honor, for a consultation. He is gifted, sir.
He has ideas that would amaze you. The single breasted
frock coat was his creation. What do you think of that?
(12:44):
You do astonish me, mister Bower. I had no idea
of it. I knew you had not. That is where
the greatness of the man comes in. It is his conception,
and he is fully aware that the credit of it
is a tribute to me. But he does not mind.
There is no petty jealousy of the profession about him.
(13:08):
Then silk breeches for evening wear. That is another of
his grand ideas. You must have silk breeches if you
visited Moors, or you do not receive a second invitation.
He is drastic in his methods. Is my lord a
regular Roman? Mark my words, mister Sinnet. If the fashion
(13:30):
takes it will be owing to the influence of Lord Uthersdale.
And once get the nation into silk breeches, and you
do not know to what heights it may attain, it
will be the beginning of a new era, the like
of which no man living has known. I only hope
(13:51):
I shall be here to witness its dawn. Mister Bowers's
eyes glistened and his cheeks flushed in anticipation. Even mister
Sinnett caught a little of his enthusiasm. It was half
past three when they reached Moor's. Lord Lorthsdale could not
see them until after dinner. At that moment a Japanese
(14:13):
surgeon general was with him, explaining how they managed their
field hospitals in the Far East. He had come by
special permission of the Mikado and had to return to
the seat of War by the six o'clock train. At
nine o'clock, the corporal was arrayed in the proposed new
uniform for the line. A taking arrangement in heliotrope the
(14:35):
outcome of Lord Orthordale's creative genius and mister Bower's executive ability.
At nine thirty they were admitted into Lord Lorthorsdale's study.
The great man was in a genial mood, the result
no doubt of an instructive afternoon and a good dinner.
He walked round the corporal and inspected him critically by
(14:58):
jove Bower. He said, at last you've done the trick capital,
and your idea of primrose facings was quite right after all.
I am glad that you approve of it, my lord,
said the beaming tailor. I do. On the contrary, will too.
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There'll be some recruiting when this gets out. Then he
knitted his brows. I think the cuffs are a shade
too deep, though I'm sure they are but half an inch. No,
a quarter will put it right. A quarter of an
(15:41):
inch off a cuff, facings. Make a note of that,
said mister Bower to his assistant, who had his pocket
book ready. You'll have it done by breakfast time, please,
said Lord Lorthersdale, so that I can see how it
looks by daylight. A photographer will be here, as I
want some colored prints for the appendix. Then the little
(16:05):
deputation withdrew. The whole interview had not occupied more than
five minutes, and most of that time the taleer's assistant
had been taking his bearings and trying to locate the
report that was surely it a business like foolscap volume
on the desk. The secretary was writing in it when
I entered, and later on he had carefully put it
(16:26):
in the top left hand drawer. The assistant maneuvered round
to the desk during the interview, and after taking particulars
of the alterations required, he laid down his note book
and deliberately left it there. At two o'clock in the morning,
when the whole household was presumably fast asleep, mister Bower's
assistant suddenly remembered that he had left his note book downstairs,
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and decided to recover it at once rather than wait
till morning. He therefore made his way cautiously to Lord
Lorthorsdale's study. He accomplished the return journey without any untoward
event happening, but he brought back with him, in addition
to the notebook, a manuscript volume, which he deposited in
his hand bag, the alterations and the cuff facings were
(17:11):
duly made by breakfast time at nine o'clock. Lord Lorthsdale
approved of the result. By nine fifteen the corporal had
been photographed in several attitudes, one of which now adorns
the recruiting posters, and by nine thirty the party was
driving to the railway station, incidentally meeting a troop of
czaars on the march to Moors for purpose of the appendix.
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That is what I call business, said mister Bower, as
they took their seats in the train at the last moment.
No time is lost in dealing with Lord Lothersdale. I
hope that you got all you wanted all, replied mister Sinnett.
We have evidently been misinformed, for the man I wanted
is not there. If we'd made a fuss about it
(17:57):
to Lord Lorthsdale, we should have been. So as it is,
we are very much obliged to you, mister Bower, and
we shan't forget it. The next business, said the Honorable
Secretary at the Burglars Club meeting that same evening, is
the payment by mister Drummond Eyre of his subscription for
(18:18):
the next two years by the production of Lord Lorthesdale's
report on the Army. Here, it is, said Ire, producing
a manuscript volume. A subdued murmur of applause ran round.
The President took up the book and glanced at it.
This seems to be in order, he said, turning to
(18:41):
the end Lothordale's signs, he broke off. Suddenly the door
had opened without any warning, and a little sharp featured
individual entered, followed by half a dozen other men, and
the name of the King, said the first comer. I
arrest George Drummer, Ire for forloniously steel taking and carrying
away certain papers, namely a report a property of the
(19:05):
right Honorable Gilbert Brown, Baron Lothersdale, And I arrest all
others present as accessories. The members rose to their feet
and simultaneously made a move towards the door, with the
evident intention of resisting the intrusion. Mister Marvell, for it was,
He held up his hand, warningly, there are more men outside,
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he said. Resistance is useless. Where's your authority for all this,
demanded the Secretary. Here, Sir, said Marble, pulling out a
bundle of papers from a capricious pocket. Here are the
warrants mister George Brummond Eyre, he called out, reading from
the pile. Here you are, sir, the Duke of Dorchester. Here,
(19:52):
your grace, the Earl of Ribston. Here, my lord, a
mister Hilton, a major am Thuster, and so on to
the list of members. You will find these quite in order,
I think now, gentlemen, if you please, I have concluded
that you would prefer to ride Thompson. Fetch the Hansons round. Stop,
(20:15):
called out Ribson. What are you going to do with us?
Take you to Vine Street station. Nonsense, We're not criminals.
You can argue that out with the magistrate tomorrow, my lord,
said the detective. Here are the warrants and I am
going to execute them. If the proceedings are not in order,
you can claim reparation in the usual way. Now, gentlemen, please,
(20:39):
if you will give your word to come quietly, you
will save time and trouble. And does the Home Secretary
know this, asked the Duke. We don't report police court details,
the Home Secretary said Marble acidly, No, sir, he doesn't. Don't.
I demand to see him before these warrants are executed,
(21:00):
said Dorchester. Impossible, your grace, said Marvel, who twice before
had been defrauded of his legitimate prey. Not again was
he going to run the risk of undue favor staying
the hand of justice. He had now in his possession
a batch of prisoners so notable that next day his
name would ring from one end of the world to
the other. Impossible was the obvious reply. May I write
(21:25):
a letter, asked the Duke. No, your grace, you may not,
replied Marble firmly. You are now a prisoner, and you
will please come with me without more delay. Now, gentlemen,
will you pass your words to come quickly? You can
cause trouble if you like, But we are more than
equal to you in numbers, so there could only be
one end to the matter. Dorchester consulted Ribston and the Secretary.
(21:50):
The others nodded reluctant. Consent. Word was given, and they
passed out. The house. Doors were flung open, and they
filed into the street, where a dozen Hansons were a line,
a dozen policemen in waiting, and a small but inevitable
crowd had collected. Ask Colonel Altamont to see the Home
Secretary at once, said Dorchester to his butler, as he
(22:11):
was helped into his coat. The old man stood there,
petrified by the horror of the proceedings. He had been
in the family for generations. Three Dukes of Dorchester, had
he known in all their glory, kings, queens and potentates,
had flitted in and out of the ducal mansion with
his masters, and now he had lived to see the
last of the line taken away like a thief or
(22:33):
some terrible crime. He heard the Duke's words to him,
but they conveyed no impression to his brain. He did
not reply. The police. The bustle in the hall, the
crowd outside, the driving away of the prisoners, all was
a horrible nightmare to him. Your grace said, you were
to tell Colonel Altamont to go at once to the
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Home Secretary, Mister Bolton, said the footman who had held
the Duke's coat, said Bolton. Waking from his stupor, he
caught hold of a hat and ran out of the house.
Altamont had not been able to be present that evening.
Business of importance had detained him, and he had only
just got back to his rooms when Bolton turned up.
(23:16):
He started off at once to the Home Secretary and
after exasperating interviews with a footman, a butler, and a
private secretary, was at length admitted to the presence of
that high personage, who was in his dressing gown and
considerably annoyed at this interruption to his slumbers. The colonel explained,
the situation is that all, asked the Home Secretary. When
(23:37):
he had finished. Yes, sir, cried the indignant Colonel. Dorchester, Ribston,
Alstrucker and a dozen others arrested by your policeman, and
you ask, is that? All? Colonel? Said the minister, emphasizing
his remarks with his forefinger in Old Bailey's style. Dorchester,
(23:57):
Ribsten and the whole lot should have known better, very
much better. They've had their sport, and now they've got
to pay for it. I can't interfere. If the jury
recommend them to mercy, I'll give them the benefit of
any doubt and will save them from hanging. But that's
all I can promise. Now, have a whiskey and soda
and go to bed. Altamont declined the whisky and soda
(24:22):
and left the Minister indignantly on his doorstep. He was
promptly arrested by Marvel, who had a couple of warrants
left over after depositing his prisoners at Vine Street. The
last warrant could not be served that night, as the
member in question happened to be visiting a friend in
Nova ZEMBLA mister Marvel, who good care that the news
(24:42):
of the arrest of the Duke of Dorchester, the Earl
of Ribston, and the other more or less distinguished members
of the Burglars Club should be at once communicated to
the press, in case some influential friend should intervene at
the last moment and once more defraud him of his due.
The morning papers were full of the news, with the
result that the Marlborough Street Police Court was filled to
(25:03):
overflowing long before the proceedings commenced. The Peerage, the Diplomatic Service,
the Commons, the Army and the Navy, the stage and
sport were well represented. Every inch of space, including the
bench itself, was filled, and fair women and brave men
were turned away. Half a dozen ordinary cases were quickly
(25:25):
disposed of. Then the extraordinary case was called, and the
spectators involuntarily rose to their feet as the burglars filed
into the dock and took their stand too deep behind
the brass rail. A murmur of sympathy went round as
they stood there, some of them obviously interested in the proceedings,
others apparently bored by them. All well groomed, straight set
(25:47):
up men, though their evening dress looked incongruous enough in
the daylight, and their crumpled shirt fronts did not show
to advantage. One by one, the prisoner's names were called.
One by one, the prisoners answered. Then Counsel for the
Crown stood up, and, having stated that the charge against
the prisoners was that of stealing a report the property
(26:09):
of Lord Orthsdale, he opened his case and called the
first witness, mister Bower. Mister Bower entered the box and
adjusted his vince nez with extreme nicety. Under Counsel's lead,
he detailed how the so called Senate had introduced himself.
I had no doubt at all as to his bone
(26:30):
offe days, said the tailor, lingering lovingly over the Latin words.
But immediately afterwards I had a wire from Moore's asking
me to postpone my visit to his lordship. I rang
up Scotland Yard to inform mister Sennett of the alteration,
and learned that he was unknown there, and then I
(26:52):
informed the authorities of the whole matter, with the result
that our original intention was followed and every facility allowed
to mister Sidnet to carry out his plans done by jove,
gasped ire Lord Lorthersdale's secretary then gave evidence that the
report now produced in court was the property of his lordship.
(27:15):
Of course, he added, smilingly, the real report is still
at More's. Of this one, though signed for the present
purpose by Lord Lorthsdale, has no value. It was drawn
up three years ago by a former Secretary of State
for War, he explained. Then there was formal evidence of
the arrest from mister Marble, who was allowed to speak
(27:36):
at length for some time. Your Worship, he said, we
have been aware of the existence of what is called
the Burglars Club, composed of noblemen and gentlemen, such as
your worship sees before you. Our information was derived, in
the first instance from a discharged servant of one of
the members, in revenge for his dismissal. He told us
(27:59):
of proceeding he had witnessed at his master's house on
one occasion when he was concealed behind a curtain in
the room. He furnished us with a list of members,
and ever since then we have had them under observation.
These gentlemen amused themselves by stealing articles of great value
or of public interest. We know for a fact that
(28:19):
at one time and another they have obtained unlawful possession
of the coinar diamond, the mace of the House of Commons,
Lord Illingsworth's black pearl, announced a radium from Professor Blyight's library,
and even the Great Seal of the United Kingdom itself.
Good old Burglars, called out an admiring listener at the
(28:40):
back of the court. Silence, shouted an indignant usher. We
have waited your worship until we could interfere, successfully, knowing
that it was only a question of time for us
to do so. I have twice been called in on
the occasion of a burglary committed by a member of
the club, and in each case, of course, against my wishes,
(29:01):
no charge was made. In this particular instance, the member
walked straight into the trap. This closed the case for
the Crown, and counsel proceeded to urge the seriousness of
the offense and the necessity for a severe sentence, not
only as a just punishment, but as an example. Counsel
(29:22):
for the prisoners now rose. He was the famous mister Spiller,
who had earned the well deserved sobriquet of the prisoner's pal.
He stood up with a twinkle in his eye and
an air of confidence that gladdened the hearts of the
ladies on the bench, Your worship, he began, I shall
(29:43):
not detain the court more than a few minutes, for
I admit all the evidence that has been tendered. The
last witness gave a list of articles illegally taken by
my clients. If he wishes, I will add to the
list another half dozen instances of equal importance. Ravo, go
(30:05):
to it. Spiller called out the sympathizer at the back,
whose sporting instincts were too strong for him. This time
he was surrounded by ushers and ejected. But Sir continued counsel,
when quiet had again been restored, I must emphasize a
point which has been completely and unaccountably lost sight of
(30:29):
by the prosecution. Not one of the articles taken by
my clients has been retained by them for longer than
twenty four hours. Within that period, every article has been
restored to its owner restitution has always been made and
compensation given whenever compensation was necessary. We in this Court
(30:56):
have many times had occasion to admire the abilities of
Miss Marvel as a detective. But I would now suggest
that he should go through a course of Stevens's commentaries
in order to obtain a little knowledge of the law
which he is in the constant habit of putting into force.
(31:16):
I cannot too strongly denounce the unwarrantable action of Scotland
Yard in submitting my clients to the indignity of an arrest,
and these proceedings upon the evidence in their possession. They
must know or their office boy or charwoman is capable
of instructing them. In the fact that by English law,
(31:41):
no person can be guilty of larceny who does not
intend permanently to deprive its owner of the article which
he has gained possession. Mere conversion, though accompanied by trespass,
is nothing more than a civil wrong, for which possibly
my clients might be liable to a farthing damages. Surely concluded,
(32:08):
mister Spiller, life is dull and prosaic enough without this
high handed and unwarranted attempt of Scotland Yard to extinguish
an original, if not laudable, effort on the part of
my clients to add to the dexterity and the gaiety
of the nation. Your worship, I submit there is no
(32:33):
evidence against my clients, and ask for the immediate discharge
of the prisoners. As mister Spiller spoke, the countenance of
the prosecuting council was observed to become exceedingly gloomy, while
mister Marvell's complexion turned distinctly green. Then the magistrate spoke.
(32:55):
He began with the usual reprimand to the spectators and
the usual threat to have the place cleared if the
ordinary decencies of a court of justice were not maintained.
Then he turned to the prisoners and said, I am
sorry to see men of your social position in the
dark before me, but you have only yourselves to thank
(33:17):
for it. Your counsel has spoken of your laudable and
original effort to add to the gaiety of the nation.
People's idea of humor varies, and personally, I see nothing
very funny in what you have done. I certainly think
that your efforts might have been more worthily engaged. Some
(33:39):
of you are members of the houses of Parliament, and
I really do not know how you reconciled this club
with your position as the lawmakers of the land. But
of course it may be that this is part of
the humor to which your counsel referred. With regard to
the legal aspect of the matter, it is clear that
(33:59):
no criminal offense has been committed, though if Lord Lorthsdale's
desires you may have to answer elsewhere a claim for damages.
You are discharged. It was in vain that the ushers
tried to stop the cheers and went up as the
magistrate concluded, And as the doors of the dock opened
(34:19):
and the prisoners came forth, but one little man crept
away from the wall of the court, unnoticed and unrejoicing.
Two days later a special meeting of the club was held,
at which it was proposed by Colonel Altamont and seconded
by the President that as according to the decision of
the Marlborough Street Police Court Magistrate, the proceedings of the
(34:42):
Burglars Club are neither criminal nor humorous, and its members
run no danger of suffering personal inconvenience. It is hereby
resolved that the club has no connection with sport, and
therefore no reason for existence, and that it be disbanded
forthwith a fortnight later, the disbanding of the club was
(35:03):
celebrated by a dinner, the guest of the evening being
mister Marvel. After dessert, the detective was presented with the
minute book of the club, which had been kept in
cipher by the Honorable Secretary, who alone had the key
to it. The ex President, in making the presentation, expressed
the hope that mister Marvel would spend many happy and
(35:24):
profitable years in endeavoring to decipher it. Mister Marvel, in reply,
thanked the company for their kind reception of him and
for the gift which he would treasure. He would certainly
follow his Grace's suggestion and endeavor to decipher the minutes,
and he still hoped that with this additional evidence and
a more intimate acquaintance with the commentaries of mister Stephen,
(35:47):
he would before long be enabled to return their hospitality
at his Majesty's expense. Mister Marvell's speech was received with acclamation,
but his hopes have not been realized. This is the
last chronicle of the Burglars Club. End of chapter twelve
(36:09):
read by Todd and of the Burglars club a romance
in twelve chronicles by Henry Augustus Herring
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