The Morning herald., 1878-12-05

/ MS tune. s1f that lock is 50 pecooiur, ,s6e
thing couldn't have been opened by q
stranger.
will be, if it HASN'T snapped Joe. ].
Jared Clark glanced sharply at him.
''Do you say, joe that you know who
chloroformed and robbed me2" he asked.
The Spider chuckled, as he replied:
I'm Spider; / crawl, crawl--worm--
worm into secrets 1t was Tom Blackp'
$50 I suspected. Yet what can he know
of me?,.
"Much. Shaddered you often--often-
and you never knowed anything about it!'
"What?" cried Clark-"tracked me?"
'Just what he's done ever since he jined
us! Tried to give the hint, but couldn't get
at you" rls.
IA detective, III wager!s' said Clark,
hoarsely, his lips whitening
what I think, remarked Joe.
"And l." added Jack; 'though be goes
about his business mighty queer"
From shelf in the closet, Clark took o
powder flask.
'I'll have the safe open, or blow off the
roof"
Rapidly he charged pistol, and crouched
in front of the troublesome lock, against
which he placed it and pulled the trigger.
When the smoke had cleared, he turned
the knob but the door would not yield.
A second shot was fired, and accomplished
its mission. The door was opened. He
glanced toward the top shelf, and the pal
lor Of his face increased.
The most priced of all his possessions was
gonel ....,
1.-THE box is missingV' be gasped; "should
its contents become kuown!' The violent
ringing Of the hall bell caused him to stop.
Were officers already in quest Of him2
He hastened noisolessly to the street door,
and placed an eye to hole cut sufficiently
large to command view Of the stoop.
A glance satisfied him that there was no ex-
ira cause for alarm; the occupant of the ad-
joining house, having heard the report OF
the pistol, had come to inquire If all were
right.
The man disposed Of, he rushed back,
gathered up change Of clothes, packed
them in valise, and began arranging his
toilet.
His hirelings comprehended his move
ments at once.
''Goin to skeedaddle, oh, Bob?" said Jack.
II may have to leave town for few days,
till know to what use my ebony box will
be put"
This was particularly unwelcome news to
Grabbed Joe; it suggested lack of funds
perhaps the captain would not return.
"Aint going to go without forking out
some sugar, are your" he whined.
Clark scowled upon him.
s'That's always your cry! What use do
you make Of money? You get as much as
the rest-share and share alike"
Haven't any now. Must have" snapped
the Spider.
"Easy! Don't get ugly" retorted Clark,
making move to CO.
The cripple caught his coat, snarI'Bg:
"Money-money"
"Fool. let 90 your holdr and, rails
ing the revolver which he was IN the act
of putting in his pocket. he struck him
powerful blow on the head, which sent MN
ATTEND to your cut. miaer, and come
onl" was the brutal command that followed
the act
The unfortunate thief uttered no word Of
complaint, but obeyed, stanching the Grim
son flow at the marble basin ns best nc
could. covered the wound with his dirty
handkerchief, put on his hat to conceal 1t,
and Joined his pals, who waited in the area,
Clark ordered him to remain there till
himself and Jack reached the corner, and
then 90 home to the den in Water Street,
keeping sharp lookout for the police.
Ere leaving, he handed him ten-dollar
note slyly, while Jacks head was turned.