Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-10-04
CHAPTER VII

I city theaters that night and Norris attended
/. it, hoping to drown his own mental disturb
ance thereby, but all through the perform
ance he found his thoughts wandering bach
to the Childers, with his disappointment
rising fresh at not having seen Carol
When the play was over, he took car for
the West side instead of going directly
home.
Just beforemidnight therefore, he might
have been found lettering on the opposite
side Of the way, looking up at the darkened
windows, wondering which one was nearest
her as she slept The neighborhood kept
early hours; not a CLEAN of light shone from
any of the surrounding houses, but sudden
ly, like will-o -the-wisp, a glancing spark
went across the glass above the entrance
door of the Chder home
Lyman had been sitting up late in his
den, probably. and was just now retiring
| With this thought in his mind, Norris
watched for the light TO reappear in one OF
the chambers, but no flicker disturbed the
darkness there. He crossed the street and
went up close 70 the steps, then the vague
uneasiness he had scarcely admitted turned
TO quick alarm, as he saw that the outer
door stood ajar.
He had his hand on the bell intending TO
arouse the house, whena girls scream rang
out shrill, and door slammed in the upper
part Of the house. That was enough for
| Norris. He rushed in, up the stairway, and
moment later was struggling in des.
perate hand to hand conflict with an un-
seen adversary whom he had encountered
in the darkness Of the upper hall.
The enemys first move was vain ef-
fort to shake him of; then the fellow be-
gan TO use pair of sledge- hammer fists to
good effect. Norris found himself getting
the worst Of the encounter, but he hung
fast in spite Of the hard blows, and present
ly felt himself lifted from his feet and bent
backward over the balusfrade which pro
tected the stairway. 1t was only by getting
his arms in close grip about the others
neck that he saved himself from going
headlong into the hall below. As il was
the solid walnut rail cracked and gave
way under their combined weight The
chances were all in favor Of double fall
but the burglar, stlll unable 10 get rid of
that binding clasp recovered himself and
reeled backward, and the struggle went on.
Around and around, crashing against the
wall, going down together in a fall which
shook the house, twisting, striking, rolling
= il is doubtful il either Of them knew at
Just what moment lights came upon the
scene, and the combatants in the fray were
parted. The burglar found himself in the
grasp Of policeman, with irons neatly
clasped on his wrists, and as he stared into
the face Of his late foe, curses not loud but
deep issued from his lips
"How the mischief came You herel" he
growled. IF hadn't thought II was Childer |
hsseh, I'D a-ehawed you up in mighty short |
order. Blest if / don't think I've made
middle Of this business from beginning &c [
end
II rather think you have, my friend, and /
If you don't want to make the muddle worse, |
you had better keep quiet. We will use all /
yos say against you, you may be sure"
II was a gentleman who had arrived in |
company with the officer who gave this
word Of warning. That guardian Of the I
peace was surveying Norris with mixed /
expression Of doubt and severity.
Il don't rightly know about this chap.
They were in square enough fight, but
mebbe il was thieves fallm' OUT
''Take him, Johnny. I'll swear there
was two Of u.s. chuckled the burglar,
but the policeman had an eve for the differ.
ence between the two, and he awaited Nor.
ris' explanation. This was given. and list
aned TO in silence by Lyman Childer, who
had joined the group, half-dressed aud
wholly bewildered.
something ofs coincidence remarked
The policeman's companion. who was no
)ther than Mr.. Ingot But it's a lucky
hing for you, Childer, that the walking
lever got a hold both on Bergman and
myself strolled around the square and
smoked a couple Of cigars after leaving
lerei ran across AN old crony and had
chat with him, and was turning
ny steps homeward when | made out a sus-
demonstrating party lurking about your
place. 1t was Mr.. Bergman. apparently.
lut went the length of calling the watch.
nan whom had met ON his beat, and com
ng in force
With visible effort Lyman rallied his
lenses.
''obliged to both Of YOU But come Let
Is see what mischief, if any, has been
Lone
II proved to be slight. ''The den" had
zen ransacled and left in utter disorder. ,
'ut Lyman pronounced nothing of any value ,
Missing.
Carol appeared pale and startled. She
al clad herself hastily in a crimson vrap-
er, and gathered her wealth of lovely hair
nto net and Norris Bergman's heart I
ave a sudden leap as she put out a timid 7
and to him :
II want TO thank goii. she said. 9Did Won
ear me screamt ] was never so fright {
ned. just fancy my waking suddenly to Z
Ed-that dreadful man n the roonl.''
" Maxim free with her gimcracIs.r mut- q
cred the burglar with a grin. He seemed i
see a joke IN the whole matter but sub I
Ided when the policeman gave him a warn a
y tap b
You gentlemen ID DC wanted as witness =
5 in court tomorrow morning. said the
liter as be marched Oh with his prisoner.
Bergman SAID goodnight aud followed +
in 70 bc lQlnedb lngo- as he reached the s.
deTvalk. n
Might have been worse, that com r
tented lhe latter. e You luther eained a a
arch "a me and cnt me out. bun consider a
g mat was ahead earlier III the evening. a