The Power of Imagination

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 19, 9 November 1910, Page 55

The Power of Imagination

By

C. J. WINTER.

IF anyone, in the course of conversation with Greville Basset, happened 'to mention anything about the power of imagination, 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 onesave me—knew the whole facts of the case. I 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. J On the sixth of November 1901, while dining at Lady Maurice Ransome’s, someone dropped a chance remark about the effect on the mind of certain illusions, giving as instances various phenomena vouched for by people of the very highest standing. It frequently happens that a remark of this kind starts a conversation that takes a long time to beat dry, and in the present ease 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 drhped in a fleecy curtain of tobacco smoke, the subject rolled merrily on. Factions were formed: there were those who held that all the so-called authenticated mysteries had no real substance, but were .simply an effect on the mind which could be accounted for by hard facts, while others stoutly averred that miraculous occurrences did actually take place under certain conditions. \ i One sceptic was boldly to the fore in all these latter eases: this was Basset. Shrewd and level-headed, possessing a very matter-of-fact mind, he constantly, reiterated the same retort — “pure imagination, my dear fellow, you thought you saw it, it didn't really exist, 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—l 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 will not deny of course that you really believe it yourself, but the whole affair is too marvellous to have actually taken place: your imagination was worked upon that is the only explanation, and your ey/s deceived you. I can recall an instance which happened to my own wife,” continued he. “It was after that unfortunate affair of my son, when he suddenly left—you will excuse me going over it —but by 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 to plead with me for pardon and the rest of it, and to let him know if he might return home again. Of course it was pure imagination, she had dreamed it, but nothing will shake her opinion that either he, or his spirit in 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 nothing more than a vision of the mind —a delusion with nothing to confinn it and absolutely no existence except in the abnormally sensitive or perhaps hypnotised mind of the one who sees it: 1 have a book or two on the subject, and as I have an appointment with Dr. Stega’meu in half an hour and shall be near home, I will call in and bring "them round 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 his 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 eould not face him on account of the debts he had contracted and various other entanglements. This was some five years ago and the blow had almost broken the heart of the boy's mother. Everything had been done to try to find him but without avail, and although Basset had lately moved into another house, and done all in his power to try to take his wife’s mind off the sad subject, yet, mother-like, she continued to grieve, her health had broken down, and she 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 drove home to get the books he had promised to take back to convince bis 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 well-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 as white as linen. Everything looked exactly- as usual, when suddenly a husky voice—modulated to a heavy whisper—broke the stillness. “Gent,” said the voice, “I reckon

now’s the time,- and -with your permission we’ll get to business.” Another voice answered and a covert conversation was kept up -for two or three minutes, at the end of which tho bushes were stealthily parted and there issued therefrom _ two figures; one .tail 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 wpuld have guessed that these same overcoats were literally lined with steel in the shape of highly-tempered and cunnningly constructed burglars tools: yet such was the fact. These two men represented the summit of the old and dishonourable profession of burglary. ■The younger and bigger man, by his upright and gentlemanly appearance, might easily have been taken for a titled gentleman. The other however was a very different person. He could never have passed for anything but a member of the "lower five” for notwithstanding his fine clothes, there was something about him suggestive of the slums. His keen ferret face and small 'beadlike eyes coupled with a certain startled and nervous demeanour, although stamping him with extraordinary acuteness, gave him an undoubted air of the lowdown cockney-. Incongruous as was their appearance, they were evidently in perfect consonance with regard to their nefarious undertakings. Many 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 regues 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 mount-

ed 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. Qpiek 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 kness 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 cautions 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 in 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 pound's worth of valuables. and leaving behind them a scene of indescribable confusion. Soon after the. disappearance of the two inen, Greville Basset arrived home. He went straight to the library, secured a couple of books and was just going to leave when he remembered that there

was another one in the study that might ibe 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 repeal a total loss of thousands of pounds. He strode towards the bell for the purpose 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 shock—considering her present state of health-—-would have most disastrous effects. No, he would wait a little before Snaking the affair known, an hour or two would make little difference and 3n 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 tiie stairs, and before groing' out, told, the butler that in case Mrs Basset happened to come home before he returned', she was to be kept in either the drawingroom 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 Ransome’s to await his Wife’s homecoming and incidentally to tell his friends wlhat had happened. * « • * * The two cracksmen—weighted with.tiheir haul—had but a very short distance to go. Some hundred yards away from the mansion which 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 back-door of one of tflysse the two men directed their steps after climbing a couple of low walle. 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 them, 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 worked away, now throwing aside the wire key lhe was using and se'ecting another. Mean. While the face of the man designated by Shis 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 connoisseur 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 gold-mounted agate scent-bottle, he seemed powerless to remove his eyes (from it, but gazed with an earnest, faraway expression for so long a time, that the other man looked up from his task curiously. “Why, Gent, What’s the matter, what’s eome over you? Something wrong?” said be.

“I’ll swear I’ve seen this somewhere,” (replied the other slowly. “I believe the mater”—lie pulled up suddenly realising that he was about to go farther in the matter of confidence than he intended.

A look of keen interest sparkled in the keen, ferret eyes of the other, as if he expected the “Gent” to draw aside at last the veil that hung over his past. Croppy Owen—king of skeleton-keys and expert safe-breaker was fully aware that his companion came of a good family and had hud a university education; indeed it was the origin of the prefix “Gent,” which Croppy had himself bestowed upon 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 tlhe true story of 'his companion. Of course be 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 hinted at,

the great qualities Wfliich bound Croppy to him with the admiration and affection of a dog to Tria master, were the bold scheming and wonderful knowledge he 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 again. A minute later a sharp elick announced the fact tliat 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 the elastic band which held them, and the trembling became more pronounced as he drew a long fat envelope from them and read, in writing he knew very well—‘•The last will and testament of Greville 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 flap of the envelope and carefully 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 the 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 important and I want you to do me a favour—a very great favour Croppy; 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 1 had seen some of them before, they brought back memories: now after a look into that paper I find that these people are very great friends of mine, they are—well 11l show’ the faith and trust I put in you and tell you what I have hitherto kept a profound secret from everyone—the fact is, Croppy, I have to-night robbed my ow’n 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 liis voice and speaking deliberately, “I want you to do a hard thing—nothing short of packing up these 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, guvnor, that wins it.”

“I told you I’d see you were no loser, didn’t I? Understand that I read enough in that paper to show me that the old —my father had 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 ns if uncertain what to do, but his look of perplexity gradually gave way and he sighed gloomily. “Well, Gent,’ ymi were right when you said it was a ’ard thing,” murmured he. “it i» ’ard—ereol ’ard. Why, (here's «

thousand pounds worth of stuff, we. get it away, clean an’ clever, an’ now, when we ’ave 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 a 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.” 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 loek yielded to the pressure of the keys of the expert, and the door was locked. Meanwhile, Gent Smith had been replacing the various ornaments with unerring accuracy. Each drawer received its scatter, ed 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 rummiest job I’ve ever undertaken in my life,” said Croppy, "and I’ll see that it doesn’t occur again, but I must admit that we’ve done it all right.” They did not hang about lono; as you may guess; at any moment they might be surprised, in fact just as they reached the passage at the bottom of the 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 from the lips of the prince of burglars. * » « • * When Greville Basset got back 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 want to cause any alarm if it could be 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 word with Yorke the butler, that nobody was to go upstairs until I came home.” “Well, what do you say if we come along home with you,” said Barclay, “we can pick up a policeman as we go. and can then do a great deal towards getting the place straight before your wife tomes 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 fetch one, decided to have a look at the rooms. It was their ring which had been heard by Gent 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 he lead 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 then—snapping on the light—“what do you think of that ?” He stood aside with 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 as wide as his eyes. He had dean forgotten his friends who stood around him with curious faces. “Whatever is the meaning"—he began and then stopped as if powerless to form another word.

The others remained docking at Mai 4* stteuee, their puzzled faces reflecting his expression of wonderment.

“This is the most inexplicable occur* renee I have ever 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 he strode across and tugged violently at the handle —“well this beats all,” said he. “Try the other rooms,” said Colonel Thurston. They opened them: everything was in order, the jewel-case stood in its appointed place in tlie bedroom and not a hair-pin littered the floor. Greville Basset grew more and more mystified as each familiar object met his gaze. His brows drew down over his eyes in a heavy frown and when he 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 his 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 in its place and I buried my feet in the things from my drawers and the cloth from that table lay there.” He stamped his foot fiercely on the floor at the indicated spot. “And as for the other rooms, they 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 delusions at times,” said Barcley, “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?”