Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-11


alas would not break.
A moment after they all passed through
the door directly beneath him, and going
clear 10 the other end of the library, stood
on tiptoe, and peered at his hiding place.
There seemed to be eyes in his back,
which felt their scrutiny. But the lamp
they carried did not suffice to bring out
his figure clearly.
"l'm sure see something, ;" said An gle,
getting up on chair.
Its only the shadow of the freight" ="
replied John.
Light the gas and let us make sure"
said Mrs. McLane.
George stood up on chair under the
chandelier, and lighted one of the
burners.
An inarticulale ejaculation fell from
every mouth. A human figure was dis
tinctly visible, reclining along the top of
the bookcase, with his face toward the
wall. The ladies would have forthwith
run away but for the fact that one door
OF The room was directly beneath ihe
bookcase. and the other close to it. Upon
Bob's paralyzed senses fell the sharp
words of John.
We've got you. Get down -
He did not move, but at the summons
his soul. with inexpressible reluctance
and disgust. began to return from the
end of its floating thread, and reinhabit
the quarters for which it could not quite
shake off responsibility.
"Get up, or I'll shoot!" said George,
"Oh, don't shoot him !" cried Mrs.
McLlne, while Bob. still motionless.
dimIy hoped he would.
Get up!" reiterated John; and he did
get up. His own will was inactive and
Johns was the iorce that moved his
muscles. He turned around and sat up,
his legs dangling over tho edge OF the
bookcase, and his wet, white face blankly
directed toward the group most pitia-
tle figure. .......
Jump down." said John; land if you
try TO escape you will get shot !"
Bob let himself drop without regard TO
how he was to alight, and in consequence
was severely bruised against chair and
the edges OF the bookcase.
He stood facing tho group. His eyes
mechanically sought Angles. What was
his surprise not TO sec in her expression
of mingled curiosity and fright not the
slightest sign of recognition. A glance
showed that il was the same with the
others. John and George evidently sup
posed that they were dealing with an
ordinary burglar, and the others were ap-
parently quite as devoid OF suspicion as
TO his identity. His wig! He had for
gotten all about it. That explained their
singular demeanor.
The bald man in stockings. trowsers
and shirt, caught hiding in the library
after an attempt on the silver, quite nat
urally failed TO recall to their minds the
youth Of rather foppish attire and luxuri-
ant locks who bade them good night
few hours previous. AS this fact and its
explanation broke upon Bob's mind he
ielt an immense sense of relief, instantly
followed by more poignant perception
OF the inextrcable ialsity and cruel ab-
surdity OF his position. He had little
time to think it oy0r and determine his
best course.
John stepped forward and with the
point OF his cane sword motioned him
into corner thus leaving the way clear
TO the ladies. who at once hurried into
the dining room, throwing glances OF
fear and aversion upon Bob as they
passed. Angie paused at the doorway
and asked,
"What are you going to do with the
dreadful man ?"
Bob even now was able TO notice that
he had never seen her so ravishingly
beautiful as now, with her golden hair
falling over her charming dishabille,
while her eyes scintillated with excite
ment. She would have blushed to have
been seen by him in such an undress
toilet, but with an odd feeling OF being
double. he perceived that she now re-
garded him as she would have an animal.
George and will attend TO him. You
had better 60 to bed." replied John to
her question; and then he sent George
alter some cord. meanwhile standing in
front of Bob with cooked revolver. Had
he scanned his prisoner closely, he might
have detected something familiar in his
Iineaments, but in careless contempt he
took him in with sweeping glance as
an average burglar. whose identity was
q question for the police.
Bob had not uttered a word. In the
complex falsity OF his position he could
not muster presence OF mind to resolve
on any course, but regarded will a kind
of iatuity the extraordinary direction
events were taking. But when George
returned with the rope, and ordered him
to put his hands behind him, he said in q
tone so quiet that it surprised himself:
"Hold on, Mr.. McLane; this joke has
gone far enough. am Robert Withers
at ponr service. and respectfully decline