The Power of Imagination. By C. J. WINTER. [All Eights Reserved.]

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1910, Page 10

The Power of Imagination. By C. J. WINTER. [All Eights Reserved.]

If anyone, in the course of conversation with Greville Basset, happened to mention anytfiing about the power of imaginatiop, he was generally .favoured by that gentleman with a peculiar cold and searching stare, intended to find out if the observation was made in pure innocence, or if the person making it had heard things connected with his past, and was pulling his leg. The fact of the matter was that the subject was somewhat painful to Greville Basset, Esq., M.P., and to speak truth he had every reason to feel sensitive about it, although not one soul in the world had the least compassion for him respecting the matter excepting myself, the reason being that no one — save me — knew the whole facts of the case. ~1 am now, about to impart them for the first time, and so the reader- will be in the peculiar position of knowing the whole matter, while all the principals concerned in its transactions only know in part. On the 6th November, 1901, while dining at Lady Maurice Ransomels, someone dropped a chance remark about tho eiiect on the- mind of certain illusions, giving as instances various phenomena vouched for bj people of the. very highest standing. It frequently happens that a remark of this kind starts a conversation that takes a long tune to beat dry, and in the present case some dozens of curious happenings were hauled into the light, with the result that long after the ladies had left for the opera, and the room was draped in a •fleecy curtain of tobacco smoke, the. subject rolled merrily, on. . Factions were formed : there were those who held that all the .co-called authenticated mysteries had no real substance, but 1 were simply an effect on the mind which could b& accounted for by hard facts, while others stoutly averred that miraculous occurrences did actually take place under certain conditions. One sceptic was 1 boldly to the fore in all these latter cases : this was Basset. Shrewd and level-headed, possessing a very matter-of-fact mind, he constantly reiterated the same retort — "pure imagi^ nation, my dear fellow, you thought you saw it, it didn't really exists you Know," and so forth. "I remember," said Colonel Thurston, "on two separate occasions and in different parts of India^ — once in Mysore and once in Bombay — I saw the famous mango trick, and nothing to my dying day will persuade me that the little plant did not actually grow up in front of my very eyes : moreover I'll find you half a dozen honourable English gentlemen who will bear me out.' "Simply an effect of the imagination, Colonel," replied Basset. "I wil] not deny, of course, that you really believe it yourslf, but the whole affair is too marvellous to have actually taken place : your imagination was worked upon, that is 1 the only explanation, and your eyes deceived you. I can recall an instance which happened to my own wife," contined he. "It was- after that unfortunate aifair of my son, when he suddenlyleft — you will excuse me going over it — but my wife woke me up one night and told me she-had just seen Robert standing by the bed, and. had had a long conversation with, him, in which he had asked her tp-_ plead-witb me for pardon and the rest of it, and to let him know if hemighb return ham& again. Of course' it was pure 'imagination, she had dreamed it, but nothing will shake her opinion that either he, or his spirit m" tangible form, came into our room that night. "Now you know, either a thing happens — in which case something always occurs to prove its reality — or it is jiothing more than a vision of the mind — a delusion with nothing to confirm ib and absolutely no existence except in the abnormally sensitive or perhaps hypnotised mind of the one who sees it : I have a book or two on the subject, and as J have an appointment with Dr. Stegamen in half an hour and shall be near home, I will call in and bring them found to prove my point." After a little more talk on the subject Greville Basset rose and left/, saying he would be back inside the hour. It was not often he referred to the unfortunate incident in bio life as he had done to-night : the subject was, of course most painful to him. It will be remembered that his son Robert, who was known privately to be leading a very fast life, had suddenly disappeared, leaving a note to his father, in which he said he could not tace him, on account of the debts lie had contracted and various other entanglements. This was some five years ago, and the blow j had almost broken the heart of the poy's mother. Everything had been done to try to find him, but witnout avail, and although Basset had lately moved into another house, and done ail in his power to try to take his wife's mind off the sad subject, yet, motherJike, she continued to grieve, her health had broken down, and sh& was not the same woman as of old. It was to the doctor who attended her that Basset now went, and after the consultation he Urove home to get the- books he had promised to xsvke back to convince his friends. ■ At the time the above conversation' was in full swing, the garden of the newly-acquired house belonging to Greville Basset, lay in profound quiet. The >yell-trimmed and bushy laurel hedge gave no unusual sound when shaken by the keen east wind which had sprung up and brought with it a touch of frost, which hardened the paths and dried the stones ps white as linen. 'Everything looked exactly as usual, when suddenly a husky voice modulated to a heavy wnisper — broke the stillness.. "Gent," said the voice, "I x reckon how's the time, and with your permission we'll get to business." ' j Another voice answered, and a covert j conversation was kept up for two or three minutes, at the end of which the ! bushes were stealthily parted, and there issued therefrom two figures ; one tall and stalwart, the other thin almost to emaciation. Both wore long overcoats, and if all the five millions of people in 'London had seen them, not one perhaps would have guessed that these same overcoats were literally lined with steel in the shape of highly -tempered and cun-aiinqly-constructed burglars' tools : yet such was the fact. These two men represented the sum"mit of the old and dishonourable profession of burglary. • The younger and bigger man, by his tipright and gentlemanly appearance, mipht easily have been tak^n for a filled The other, however, ~v,ui r. ". ery different person. lie could KPVfr have passed for anything but a •rnn'.iLi 1 el lbs "lower five," for, notwiilihtpi'wini; his ihio^dot.hes, there was h-'~.'s'..u.i.: about him suggestive of the I ■•• ']"-, 1-eeti. i'ciTet face and small i "■' i !<■ <>^f=s. c(m><lrrl with a certain i ■. • ! -li.i '-"rwir. demeanour, al- : . ■ .*' 'l;uii'ji: _, i-im with extraordin/i . i,i,r »•. '_'.r. c bLn a.v undoubted ,- ' - i i ']•'• i •■■ .]<.■'■' :i cockne; . •, ■ <• „; -;s • ;;.-; their appearance, '" '■" <virj'ii(lv in perfrct consoni i' 1 ' ,:,.,./<■] to their nefarious uno.i-.. kiiibC. Man/ were the jobs they

had brought to a successful conclusion. Of course, they were well known to the police not by their appearance but by their work. Their bold and daring schemes, and their consummate skill in carrying them out, had convinced Scotland Yard that two of the most expert : rogues of modern times were on the warpath. For a moment they remained taking stock of the windows in the house, listening intently the while, then noiselessly they entered the back door and disappeared within. No sound fell from their feet as they boldly traversed the passage and mounted a flight or two of stairs. They tried one or two doors, all of which were open, and finally selected one which was evidently a study. Quick as lightning, but without sound, each fell to his appointed task. The thin, keen-faced man — at a nod and muttered "there's your department" from the other — dropped on his knees in front of the safe and began dexterously plying the thin bright skeleton keys, while the taller man went over to the desk, pulling the drawers noiselessly out, turning them upside down on the floor and securing everything of value that came to light. Small choice ornaments and costly relics speedily found their way into his keeping, and while the other was patiently working away at the safe, he opened another door and found himself in an elegantly furnished bedroom. He soon returned with a precious store of jewels and valuable ornaments, which quickly found their way into the canvas bag which had received the things already collected. Meanwhile the door of the safe swung silently back, and the eager but cautious fingers of the thin man removed the cashbox, which at once followed the other spoils. A keen glance revealed a bundle or two of papers, and these were also secured. Another room was visited, more drawers emptied and more valuables added to the already costly store. ' So quickly and systematically had they worked that m twenty minutes they had gone through all three rooms and amassed enough to satisfy even their rapacious instincts. It had been a phenomenally easy job from the first. All drawers had been found open, nothing had to be broken, they had struck lucky from every point of view, and a moment afterwards saw' them stealthily disappearing, carrying with them perhaps a thousand pounds' worth of valuables, and leaving behind them a scene of indescribable confusion. Soon after the disappearance of the two men, Greville Basset arrived 1 home. He went straight to the library, secured a couple of books, v and was just going to leave when he remembered that there was another one ia the study that might be useful. He opened the door, snapped on the light, and stood transfixed with amazement at the havoc he saw in front of, him. " The first thing that claimed his attention was the safe with the wide-open door. He went across to it, putting his feet at every step amongst the litter from the drawers, which lay in heaps all over the room. One glance revealed that his cash-box as well as his most important papers were gone. He entered the other rooms and was confronted with the same terrible confusion and muddle : his wife's jewel-case Had disappeared as well as many valuable heirlooms, this he could see at a glance — doubtless a careful scrutiny would reveal a total loss of thousands of pounds. He strode towards the bell for thepurpose of calling the butler up, but on second thoughts he decided to wait and consider which was the best course to follow. At all costs his wife must not know without due preparation; the shoek — considering her present state of health — would have most disastrous effects. No, he would wait a little before making the affair known, an hour or two would make little difference and in the meantime his wife would be home from the opera with the other ladies, and he could tell her quietly, thus saving a nervous shock* Closing the doors again he descended th* stairs, and before going out, told the butler that in case Mrs. Basset happened to come home before he returned, she was to be kept in either the draw-ing-room or the dining-room until he arrived and he would explain. Also no one was to go upstairs. He jumped into his carriage and drove back to Lady Eansome's to await his wife's home coming and incidentally to tell his friends what had happened. The two cracksmen — weighted with their haul — had but a very short distance to go. Some hundred yards away from the mansion v/hich had received their attentions, were a number of fairly large houses whose backs almost adjoined the end of Greville Basset's Garden : and to the backdoor of cm© of these the two men directed their steps ' after climbing a couple df-low walls.. A few minutes afterwards they were seated in a well lighted and comfortable room, and immediately began to examine their plunder. It was undoubtedly a big night for theni, as the' long array of valuables, which the tall man was placing on the table, testified : to say nothing of what the cash-box would reveal when the cunning fingers of the other had solved the trick of the lock. Carefully and patiently he wonted away, now throwing aside the wire key he was using and selecting another. Meanwhile the face of the man designated by his companion as "Gent" was screwed into a perplexed frown as he handled the various costly trinkets and ornaments. The expression was one in which the keen glance of the connoiseur was blended with a certain troubled look of recognition as if the things he held were partially familiar to him ; and once, when he held up a curious goldmounted agate scent-bottle t he seemed powerless to remove his eyes from it, but gazed with an earnest, far-away expression for so long a time, that the other man looked up from his 4ask curiously. "Why, Gent, what's the matter, what's come over you? Something wrong.?" said he. "I'll swear I've seen this somewhere,' replied the other slowly. "I believe the mater," — he pulled up suddenly realising that he was about to go farther in the matter of confidence than *»c intended. A look of intense interest sparkled in the keen, ferret eyes oi the other, as if he expected the "G&nt" to draw aside at last the veil that hung over his past. Cioppy Owen— king ot skeleton-keys and expert safe-breaker, was fully aware that his* companion came of a good family and had had a university education; indeed it was the origin of the prefix "Gent;" which Croppy himself had bestowed on him when they first met. The name had stuck to him and "Gent Smith" he had remained ever since. Among other qualities Croppy possessed great inquisitiveness and would have given a lot to have known the true story of his companion. Of course he had his theory — that he was a- waster or ne'er-do-well from some important family, who was banished from home; — heir to a title perhaps. However no questions were ever asked or even hinter" at, the great qualities which bound Croppy to him with the admiration and affection of a dog for his master, were the bold scheming and wonderful know-

ledge ho showed. Another factor was the extraordinary unbroken luck which seemed to follow him about. A somewhat awkward silence fell between them for a moment, and then Croppy bent his head over his task ag ai «- , ... A minute later a sharp click announced the fact- that the lock had given way to the masterly attentions of the expert. Yes, there was money there — a goodly sprinkling of sovereigns in one compartment, and a bunchy sheaf of crisp notes in another. The Gent's eyes immediately sought the box as the lid was lifted, but it was not at the hard money that he looked. A bundle of papers claimed his attention and these he took up with hands that trembled slightly — a. most unusual thing with him. He twisted off t/he elastic band which held them, and the trembling became more pronounced and he drew a long fat envelope from them and read, in writing he knew very well — "The last will and testament of GTeville Basset." With a sharp intake of the breath, he sank into his chair, but a moment afterwards recovering his balance, he inserted a pencil under the nap of the envelope and careiully working it round contrived to unfasten it without tearing, while all the time the beadlike eyes of his companion followed his movements with feverish excitement. For a couple of minutes a dead silence reigned in the room, and then with a quick movement Gent Smith folded up the paper and proceeded to place it carefully back into its envelope. "Croppy," said he earnestly, when he had effected his purpose, "we have done a few jobs together, you and I, haven't we? — jobs which have not only brought us a decent sum at our bank, but have made us known as the kings of our profession." "Very right, Gent," replied Croppy, "perfectly correct, and we'll do many more of the same kind you may bet your last 'apenny on that." "We may do," said Gent Smith slowly, "it's possible, but*— " " 'May do* and 'possible,' " said Croppy looking up with startled eyes, — "may do? why you don't surely mean that you think of chucking the business, now of all times when we know th© ropes so well?" " We'll leave that phase of the subject for the present if you don't mind'," replied the other, "the fact is that, something has happened — something very imporbant and I want you to do me a favour — a very great favour, Groppy : mind I'll see that you are no loser by the deal. You may have noticed that I was rather worried all the time I was looking at the things; you see I felt sure I had seen some of them before, they brought back memories : now after alook into that paper I find that these people are very greal friends of mine, they are — well I'll show the faith and trust I put in you and tell you what I have hitherto kept a profound secret i from everyone — the fact is, Croppy, I have to-night' robbed my own father and mother. They must have moved into this house recently, although it is strange I have not heard anything about it>, for I try to keep myself acquainted as far as possible with their doings. So, you see, Croppy, that this mustn't go on, I'm not wonderfully particular as you know, but I draw the line at this, and so," continued he, lowering his voice and speaking deliberately, "I want you to do a hard thing — nothing short of packing up thesr things and taking them back, or the shock will about kill my old mother." "WheW," whistled Croppy Owen, "that is about the tallest order I've ever heard of. Put 'em back? why it's unnatural; who ever heard of — well, guvmor, that winds it." "I told you I'd see you were no loser, didn't 1? Understand that I read enough in that paper to show mi> that the old — my father has relented and forgiven me. He has made me his heir again so that I get his fortune when he dies, and it also' shows me that I have only to go back to him to be received and reinstated into my former position, when I will make this right with you. Come now, quick, let us get to work, I know you're not going to fail me." Croppy Owen hesitated as if uncertain what to do, but his: look of perplexity gradually gave way and he sighed ily"Well, Gent, you were right when you said it was a 'ard thing," murmured he, "it is 'ard crool 'ard. r Why, here's a thousand pounds worth of stuff, we get it away dean an' clever, an' now, when we 'aye our 'ands round it we've got to put it back. Well, if you say so, I'll do it, you're Gent by name an' I know you'll act like aj gent when the time comes, so here goes." "Croppy, you're a pal," said the other putting his hand on his shoulder, " and you'll never regret it.J" Quickly they set to" work; the things were soon packed into the bag again and the second journey commenced. On reaching the garden they found everything as quiet as when they had left half an hour before. Again the thick stair-carpet held the secret of their footsteps, and a moment afterwards they fell to their extraordinary task. It was, as Croppy said, "unnatural," but nevertheless they performed it with as much dexterity as they had displayed on the- previous occasion. The cash-box slid into its place in the safe, and in a very short time the lock yielded to the persuasive keys of the expert, and the door waa locked. Meanwhile Gent Smith had been replacing the various ornaments with unerring accuracy. Each drawer received its scattered contents and took its proper place in the bureau. Chairs were replaced in position, folds smoothed out of the carpet • and with a smile of satisfaction he glanced round the room. "One," said he. The other two rooms were visited, and after ten minutes silent but speedy work no trace of the recent disorder appeared to their critical eyes. "It's the rummest job I've ever undertaken in my life," sa id Croppy, ''and 1 11 see that it doesn't occur again, but I must admit that we've done it all right." They did nob hang about long, as you may guess; at any moment they might be surprised, in fact just as they cached the passage at the bottom of tie stairs they heard a ring at the bell" which was immediately followed by a stir in the neighbourhood of the kitchen. They were outside in a flash and' gained the laurel bushes unobserved. '-Just in time thank God," said Gent Smith, which i think you will admit was rather a, pious and significant remark to fall irom the lips ot the prince of burglars. When Greville Basset got oack to Lady Maurice Ransome's, he found the men in the billiard room, and in a few moments had related what had occurred. "Have you informed the police '!'' asked Colonel Thurston, "No," said Basset, "you see I did not ./aiit to cause any alarm if it could bo avoided, and although the matter must of course come out, I thought perhaps we could soften it down before my wife got to know." "But how about the servants," said Sir Maurice, "they know I suppose ?" "Not a word. When I found what had occurred I just came out, closed the doors and left woid with Yorke the butler that nobody was to go upstairs until I came home." "Well what do you sgay if we come along home with \<3u," said Barclay, 'Hw 'can pick up a policeman ob we go, and can then do a great deal towards get- ,

ting the place straight perhaps before your wife conies home. Then you can tell her at your leisure." This suggestion found favour at once and in a few minutes the party of four set out. They arrived without encountering a policeman however, and before going to ietch one, decided to have a look at the rooms. It was their ring which had been heard by G-ent Smith and Croppy Owen as they closed the back door after their second visit. "I'm afraid it's an awful muddle," said Basset as h& led the way upstairs, "and you had better wait until I switch on the light or you'll bark your shins over a heap of rubbish on the floor." They reached the landing and Basset opened the door of the study. "I think you'll admit/ said he, "that it's properly cleaned out," and thensnapping on the light — "what do you think of that?" He stood aiide witih almost a flourish and looked into their faces. A moment after his gaze followed theirs, and he stood as if suddenly frozen stiff. His face was a study: his jaw fell and his mouth opened an wide as his oyee. Ho had clean forgotten his friends who stood around him with curious faces. "Whatrever is the meaning" — he began and then stopped as if powerless to form another word. The others remained looking at him in silence, their puzzled faces reflecting his expression of wonderment. "This ia the most inexplicable occurrence I havj ever 1 heard of," said Basset deliberately at last. "Why not an hour ago the^room was a dust heap, and the floors almost knee-deep with papers and things. And the safe — here ho strode across and tugged violently at the handle — "Well this beate all/ said he. "Try the other rooms," said Colonel Thurston. Thejf opened them : everything was in order, the jewel-case stood in its appointed place in the bedroom and not a hair-pin littered the floor. Greville Basset grew more and more mystified as each familiar object met his gaze. Hie brows drew down over his eyes in a heavy frown and when he i got back to the study he stood for a couple of minutes in front of the safe completely lost 'in thought, his worried expression giving an inkling of the state of Imb mind. The others, after looking at him began to exchange glances with each other, their lips twitched and something next door to a wink agitated the eye of Colonel Thurston. Young Barclay was the first to speak and the next moment he wished he hadn't done so. "You couldn't possibly have imagined it," said he. "Imagined it be — be — hanged," said Basset violently. "I tell you I came into this room less than an hour ago and it was ransacked : the safe was open, my cash-box gone, not a chair was in its plate and 1 buried my feet in the things irom my drawers and the cloth from that table lay there.'\ H& stamped his foot fiercely on floor at the indicated spot. "And as for the other rooms, tney were like a rag shop, everything turned upside down and my wife's jewels gone. Do you think I'm mad, man," he finished with almost a wail. "My dear fellow, we all have our dexusions at times," said Barclay, "it stands to reason — " "I tell you I saw it and went through all the rooms : now is it likely I should make it up?"