The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-04-25

tracks, and then found this paper where
Grace had dropped it. could make nothing
OF it then, of course; still I thought that
some other woman might have gone into
Grace's room and out again, so went
there while you were doing up her hand.
and in her closet found her waterproof
cloak and an old dress, all wet and draggled
around the bottom, and a pair of her shoes,
soaked and muddy. Mother, that hand was
hurt at Mr.. MontRomery's house in the
course OF that robbery-I am perfectly sure
of it,"
At this moment servant announced,
through the closed door, that Mr. Fletcher
was in the parlor to see the ladies. Mrs.
Malcolm hastily dried her tears of grievous
distress.
mot a word to him Of all this about
Grace Gardiner" she said. as she fastened
away to receive her guest. Jessie took
some time to steady herself before she fol-
lowed.
Mr.. Fletcher explained that he had come
out with just enough of business errand to
serve as an excuse. Really, he was off for
well-earned holiday, and would stay all
day if they coaxed him, and all night, too, if
there was room at his disposal. He could
not have done kinder thing, after the
recent disturbing events, and he knew it.
OF course these events were exhaustiyelv
discussed by all.
1T is very mysterious business alto
gether," said Mr.. Fletcher. EVERY night,
OF late, there has been q burglary some
where, and the same enterprising artist
executes all the various jobs. The detect
ives are sure Of that, because, as you
know, there are schools Of burglary, as
there are schools of painting, and these
m "a q rV0Io oil ho1n t1 -
us this person of genius supposed to be q
man or a woman!" asked Jessie, with e.
travagant carelessness.
"A man, undoubtedly" Mr.. Fletcher re-
piled. with sharp look at his questioner.
And as gentlemanly and aristocratic a
rascal as ever deserved hanging Romantic,
too. He was well-born and Well-educated:
married charming woman; had pros
porous business, and kept his family in
luxury. He became depraved somehow, and
for years he led double life, maintaining a
high social position on the proceeds of his
criminal enterprise. His wife died of q
broken heart when the exposure came at
last"
"How is all this known3 And who is this
charming rascal!" Jesse asked.
HE calls himself Ellwood. All, you know
the name already from the papers, see. AS
to your other question, his history all came
out at the time Of his trial, two years ago.
He was arrested after q series of just such
burglaries as these; was tried, convicted
and sentenced to long imprisonment. l
was prosecuting attorney at the time, and
much of the evidence was furnished by my
son, who is my partner. you know. He is q
very neat amateur detective, and wish he
would take as much interest in the matter
ho Il VNoO1 ~
this gray-haired man Of genius. Ellwood. es-
capped from prison, and forty eight hours
later there was magnificent burglary of
his peculiar type. He has been at it ever
since, and the police can't get near him."
Burglary is fascinating topic Of CONVEX
sation, but after a time other subjects sup
planted it, even in that interested group
Toward a-time Mr.. Fletcher remembered
that he had writing to do, and must go at
once to his room.
II won't come down again." he said, ''if
Miss Jessie will kindly bring-not send
some supper to me. And it will be as well
not to mention to any body that am here for
the night"
The plot thickens," said Jessie, after he
had gone. "Just think Of it; so long as Ell.
wood was in prison GRACE Gardiner worked
quietly at honest employment; but no sooner
does he escape than she gives up her situa-
ton: and associates herself with him in the
most mysterious fashion. 1t is terrible!"
Mrs. Malcolm's only answer was to twist
her hands together and cry softly.
"I'd cry myself" Jessie went on; ''but 1
have to save my eyes for night work. For 1
vow, all the sleeping do shall be done in
daytime, until this house has been robbed
or Ellwood has been captured-with his
accomplices."
Miss Jessie's vigils began that same night
She sat through the dark hours in her own
room, wide awake and alert, and with a
stout club at command. About two o'clock
In the morning she heard a slight sound un-
der her window. Somebody was apparently
trying the side door. This door opened into
passage which connected with the main
hall and stairway, and also by an inner
door with the dining room.
Jessie Malcolm hurried noiselessly to Mr.
Fletcher's room and softly tapped on the
door. There was instant response. The
lawyer had been keeping vigil also, and
stood before her, fully dressed and ready
for prompt action.
"Ellwood is down stairs" whispered Jes-
sic.
Thought he would come tonight, be-
cause he would suppose nobody expected
him here after last nights performance"
said Mr.. Fletcher; and without further loss
Of time the two went cautiously down stairs
to welcome the untimely guest, Jessie posi-
lively refusing to stay back
The hall.lamp had been left dimly burn
ing, As usual, and by its light they could see
that as yet there was nobody in the hall
Peering past the angle at the foot Of the
stairs, they saw that the side passage also
was empty. With great care Mr. Fletcher
opened the main door Of the dining room,
intending to enter there, set the side door
| of the room ajar, and through the narrow
opening watch for the entrance of the bur-
glar into the passage. Then, by means Of q
bell-wire which ran through pretty nearly
every room In the house, he would arouse
/ the men-servants, and, as was hoped, trap
| the intruder.
AS the door moved on its hinges, Jessie
| seized her companions arm in alarmed
amazement. A dim light was burning in
the dining room, where there should be
utter darkness. Another look showed that
the room was already occupied. Two per-
sons were standing together, close by the
! side door; one of them was woman, and
! that woman was Grace Gardiner. So. she
had expected the visit of her accomplish.
and had already admitted him! 1t rvaa q
blessed thing that Mrs. Malcolm was spared
this sight, thought Mrs. Malcolm's daughter.
As the thought took form Mrs. Malcolm
stole silently up beside the watchers. She
had heard their footsteps pass her door. and
had fearlessly followed them. When she
saw Grace, she clasped her hands and raised
her eyes In manner pitiful to see.
But that was no gray-haired old man
| standing beside Miss Gardiner. It was Q