The Double Life Of Mr. Alfred Burton

e, hung up his gray Homburg on the peg consecrated to the support of his discarded silk hat, and prepared to plunge into his

e you been stealing? What have you been up

shook h

ame to the conclusion that my late style of dress, as you your

emed a lit

an artist!" he declared. "What's it al

ather think I have come to my senses. Ha

ed him, genially. "The guvnor wants you down a

deal in the letting of houses, but he had lied more still in the auction room. And to-day's sale! He

was a sale to-day. I don't suppose Mr. Waddi

ss the show. You'd better hurry along, too. It's Thursday morning

ew exactly what was before him and he realized that it must be the end. Mr. Waddington, who had not yet mounted the rostrum, saw him come in, stared at him for several moment

're the auctioneer'

" he a

's his birthday to-morrow. If it's all right, I thought I might make him a present. It says in th

painting at all,"

-lot number 17-'Interesting oil painting of the R

catalogue away fro

ccurate. As a matter of fact, it is a colored lithograph, very cleverly done but quite

ared at him

me that the reserve upon it'

made a mistake," Burton re

an insisted, "what i

e frame," Burton an

ulders, threw her catalogue upon the f

lored lithograph, indeed, and put down in the catalogue as an interesting oil paintin

she stood for a moment in the doorway before taki

to be ashamed of yourself!

istakable! He glanced suspiciously towards his chief clerk. Burton, however, had at that m

chippendale suite-lot number 101 in the catalogue. This sale is-er-um-advertised as being-" the old gentleman t

t is to that effect," Burt

llowing him anywhere, or accepting his judgment about anything. He was very set upon not having anything in his house that was not genuine. Now under any other circumstances,

ok his hea

u the truth, sir, there are very few articles here from Dr. Transome's house at all. The bulk of his effects w

ining-room and library furniture co

again at his questioner. There w

dmitted, "has been sent in to us for

eing grateful, as he ought to have been, he visite

"All the way from Camberwell I've come, entirely on the strength of what turns out to be a misrepresentation. There's the bus fare the

to his pocket. The littl

declared. "I've a friend or two here and I

also found her sympathizers. Mr. Waddington watched the d

h them all?" he mutter

endeavoring to escape further observation until the comm

'em, Burton, eh? You're generally such a good 'un at rubbing it into them. Why, the only two

new," Burton rep

on scratche

ded. "You've lost your appearance, Burton-that's wh

To tell you the truth, I had fo

tant, and the longer he looked, the more con

ssing if you're not feeling on the spot. Let's sta

and a premonition of evil, took the place by his side. The first few lots

icent oak bedroom-" the

at is it

interrupted, in a pai

bedroom suite,

ignored the interruption, however, and

are disposing of, and who is known to have been a famous collector of valuable furniture, told me himself that he found it at a farmhou

xpectantly. Burton lean

new process to make it resemble old oak, but if you examine it closely you will see that w

The veins about his temples were swollen and the hammer in his hand showed a desire to descend on

" he announced, standing up. "Call a

and cheers. Mr. Waddington swallowed

ne bedroom suite, then-there you are. Now then, Burton, you blithering idiot," he muttered savagely under his breath, "if you can't hold your tongue I'll kick you out

it of distrust seemed to be in the air. Most of the lots were knocked down to dummy bidders, which meant tha

the most important lot of the day. Mr. Sherwell, sir, I am glad to see you. You're just in time. There's a dining-room suite coming on, the only one I have to offer, and such a suite as is very seldom on the market. One table, two sideboards, and twelve chairs. Now, Mr. Sherwell, sir, look at the table for yourself. You're a judge and I am willing to take your word. Did you ev

ler pronounced, leaning up against the table and exami

d gentlemen. Now how much shall we say for the suite? Lot number 85-twelve chairs, the table you are leaning up against, two sideboards

ared, striking the table w

ed around through the audience, as though appealing for their sympathy. Then

onsented, in a resigned

ow what's the matter wi

Mr. Sherwell, and I sha

for lot number 85. Go

once more

ked, "that the remainder of the suite

ker, shifted his feet a little

replied,-"don't understa

est of the sui

" Burton pointed out,

lection of gimcrack articles piled up against the

ds, one butler's tray, twelve chairs. Th

gesture of contempt, replaced upon the floor the one which he had

. "Shan't come here any more! Shan't buy any

made an impressive if not very dignified exit

ou down! Never let me see your idiot face again! If you're at the offic

on was intended and that the catalogue spoke for itself. Then he passed out into the street and drew a little bre