The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-13
CLOSE YOUR SHUTTERS.

BUHG w IL IlHl W, dbu luG bClNbH nhu
retired, the kitchen being, as is gener-
ally the case at the South, building
detached from the house.
/ had been very busy settling some
house hold and other accounts, and
counting money just collected, to be
next day deposited in bank. Having
now concluded this business, put away
my books and papers, carefully locked
the money IN a private drawer of my
secretary; then, producing a decanter
ana IA little brass Kettle, was presently
calmly imbibing steaming beverage
of sugar, lemonJuice, water and one or
two other ingredients-a sovereign re-
medy against cold. Not that was yet
affected with that compliant; but am a
believer in the adage that san ounce
OF prevention is worth pound OF
cure"
| was just falling into state OF lux
| urious drowsinesS when slight noise
at my window aroused me. listened, ,
and The sound was repeated. The libra
| fY, / may observe, was on The hrst
parlor tl1or of the mouse, ana the window
was about eight feet from the pave
ment.
Rising, 1 opened the window, and saw
two figures standing on the portlco OF
the adjoining house, which by-yhe-Oy,
|
| The nearest street-lamp showed one oil
these men mutfl I'd IN Il great coat, whilst
| from beneath Jne loose cloak OF tue other
caught CLEAN OF the belt and buttons
of pOliceman's Uniform.
| Il want to speak to you," said the
latter, leaning forward and speaking IN
a low voice. IL am Officer Perrin, of
the Third District. Open the door, but
do it with as litLle noise as possible"
| obeyed, and found the Two men
standing on the threshold. Officer Per-
rim, as l confronted HIM, looked not al
me, but beyond me, over my shoulder,
into the iarthest recesses OF the nail, s
though searching for some one. Then
with silent salute, he entered, fol-
| lowed-raLber reluctantly, it seemed
| by Ihe other man, and both tlptoeu
nois seIessly across the hall into the libra
ry. But first, to my surprise, the police
man, on my turning the key III the door,
| had tried the bolt, and, silently remoV-
ing the key, silently handed II to me.
| In the library Perrin turned TO me.
"YOu are Mr. Saunders, l presume"
he said in the same low voice as before,
whist ne carefully shook the rain drops
| from his oil SKIN cap.
| Yes"
"Huye you, or has one of the house
hold, admitted any person at the front
door within the last quarter OF AN
| nOul p
| No; am alone in the house. No one
has entered but yourself"
Tne TWO exchanged gIances and signi-
hcant mods.
"Then," resumed Perrin impressive
ly, II nave to inform yOu-don't be
startled or make any eXciamation-that
there is probably at this moment bur-
glar in the mousse"
"a burg"
He checked me with motion OF his
| finger, and AT the same time turned his
ear III a listening attitude towards the
door Of the dining room adjoining.
| "What room is tlat?'
told nim. He turned on full blaze
of gas, Went to the door, drawing a pis-
| tOl as he did SO, listened a moment or
two, then, opening the door wide, gdzed
around with Keen, searching eyes.
'Is the farthest door locked? And
those closetsW
believe SO; but he proceeded TO in
yestigate for himself, still holding the
COCK eu pistol in his hand, and SAID as he
nodded towards the plate on the closet
shelves:
ut is here that they will naturally
try. No doubt IL is this that they are
alter, unless you have other Valuables
in The house"
Nothing, except the ladies' jewelry."
| "Ihat is up stairs, L supposeI We
will drst search this floor thoroughly, and
then proceed above"
| "But,n said | a little nerYOusly ,ssWhat
lead you to suppose that there are burg
lars in The houseW
IL was coming up Foushee street just
now-not on duty tonight, you see
when met this gentleman here,
Mr.. eh?
observation-disclosures GOodman-Belyin's
furniture factory" said the man in the
great coat, speaking for the first time.
"Ahl lie stopped me, and said he had
| lust seen something susplciOus-a man
landing in The portico OF the next house
here, leaning over and stealtAlIy look
ing in at a lighted WindoW-this window,
you see."
''Good gracous!" said l, remembering
the money had been counting.
"That led me to watching him." said
Goodman, taking up the narrative. 81
stepped into dark doorway, and saw
him come down and 90 up the front steps
of this house. He stood there a consld-
cradle time, now and then STOPPING
down, as il doing something to he
lock. Then the door opened and he
went in."
'.But the door was locked on the in
side," l said.
The policeman shrugged his shoul-
ders.
Not much of an obstacle to this class
OF citizens. When you examine that
lock tomorrow you Will find something
wrong with it,"
"Whafs to be donep 1 inquired in
some agitation.
"Capture the fellow" returned Perrin
coOlly, as he examined the LOCK OF his
revolver, and carefully placed on il a
new cap. III can count on you two,
the thing can be done at once"
"But Pm not used to this kind of busi-
ness, you see," said Goodman, hesita-
tlngly.
"Your part, my friend, will be easy
enough. The thlePs probably at this
moment up stairs. All you Will have to
do is 10 take your stand at The loot OF
the stairs ana shoot him il he attempts
TO escape by that way. Look here" he
added more earnestly, ''Pll not mind
giving you i've, ten, or even fifteen dol
lars out of my own pocket, if y0u'll only
stand by me in this matter. It's a thing
IIve been particularly wishing tor; and,
now that Pve the chance, Pan bound tO