The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-05-09
Maverick, startled, "see who ii is and what

lore She coulu speak, the ihah-Who was
leaning over from the porch-stooped and
said, in a low and hurried voice;
''Don't be alarmed, lam a policeman,
and come to let you know that there are
burglars on your premises, Let us in
quietly, SO as not to alarm"
Miss Myra sank pale and trembling on a
sofa Her sister, seizing a lamp in one
hand and with the other firmly clutching
Alice's arm, went TO the hall door and
quickly unlocked it.
Two men stepped in-one dapper and
well-dressed little man, and the other tall
and stalwart, wearing q rough overcoat with
large cape,
The moment he passed the threshold, he
turned the key and Withdrew it from the
lock.
"They won't escape by this way" he
muttered, and cautiously followed the
ladies into the room they had just left.
Here he opened his overcoat, displaying
policeman's shield and uniform, and
again buttonedit.
II am Sergeant Angus, he said, speak
ing in the same low and cautious tone,
"This conference.-the. Martin-has Just
informed me that he saw two men enter
your house awhile ago"
BY the cellar window in the side
yard" replied Mr.. Martin, who looked a
little timid and uneasy.
Sergeant Angus nodded and again ad-
dressed Miss Maverick:
at is possible the servants may have
let them in
sob, dear, mol We have only one
our cook-and she was sent for an hour
ago to see a sick relative"
The Sergeant smiled-a peculiar smile.
That's an old trick, taking oneself
out of the way to avoid suspicion. Twill
warrant, ma am, the servant has a hand
in this matter. Probably she knows
where you keep your valuables, and has
posted her accomplices. 1t is just there
that we can best trap them. I have Q
man at the rear and will let him in"
Miss Maverick was shocked and alarmed
out of her self-possession.
~ would never have dreamed it of
Nancy. But it's the silver they're after.
Part of it is here, as you see, and the rest
in the closet of my room, locked in an
old leather trunk. wouldn't lose it for
the world. Oh"
''Pray be quiet, ma'amV said the
Sergeant, almost authoritatively, "or
they will hear you and take the alarm.
which is your rooms"
"The one over this"
"Hist!n
He held up his hand and listened.
81 think | hear sound overhead.
They are probably at the closet, Now,
ladies, whatever happens, keep perfectly
quiet. Mr. Martin will stay by you, if
you object to being left alone"
He examined pistol which he took
from beneath his coat, then softly left
the room.
Mr.. Martin looked around.
"Hadn'tyou better put that silver out
of the way" he suggested, sand any
valuables that you have within reacha"
"Certainly. Why didn't I think of it,"
said Miss Maverick, all of tremble.
And while Alice attended Miss Myra
with vinegar and water, the elder sister,
with Mr.. Martins assistance, tied up the
silver i'm table-cover and thrust it out
of sight under the valence OF the big,
chintz-covered sofa
Then she opened writing desk, and
took out roll of bills, which she thrust
deep down into her pocket-adding to
them her own and Miss Myra's mourning
breastpins and rings.
Next, she seized upon the family Bible
and various photographs which hung
above the mantle-piece, and with her
treasures thus secured, stood rigid and
alert, prepared for the worst
Ten minutes of dead silence ensued.
Then they heard step, heavy but eau
tious, coming down the stairs. 1t crossed
the hall, and entered the room next that
in which they were.
A moment after there was sound of
muffled voice.
Mr.. Martin started up, and hastily
mo2onipg to the ladies to follow, glided
out of the room.
In her fright, Miss Maverick forgot
even the precious silver under the sofa,
and laden with the rest of her treasures,
while Alice supported the limp and
trembling form of Miss Myra, stumbled
out into the pitch-dark hall.
At the moment, some one rushed past
them. Miss Maverick was pushed rudely
against the wall, and fell, while rough
hand grasped her throat.
GIVE got you, you villainl Here, An
gus, lend us hand! Why, hang itl'' as
he seized Miss Mavericks false front hair,
which came off in his hand, ''it's wo-
mani" ,
Then there was a scuflc, sound of
running feet down the cellar stairs, a
confused noise outside, pistol shots-and
Miss Maverick, in the midst of her books
and photographs, tainted dead away in
the darkness.
When she came to herself she was lying
on the chintz sofa, with Alice kneeling
beside her, bathing her hands in cam
phor, while Doctor Darrell bent over her,
stanching slight wound on her fore
head.
Close by Nancy was ministering to
Miss Myra, and Indignantly discoursing ::
"'Twas jist one O their cunnin' tricks,
Miss Myra-bad luck so EN-! To think
O. me bein' cheated into goin' off mile
an more through wind an rain, to see my
dyin' sister an she dancin' at the we'd
din'l'
"Where am II" said Miss Maverick,
feebly.
"Safe in your own house, my dear
madam" answered the doctor, cheer
fully.
And Alice looked half -timidly from
him to her aunt.
"The silverp' gasped the latter, with
a sudden remembrance.
ssIt is safe, also. We were in the alley,
on the watch for the rogues, and they
were compelled to drop the silver in or
der to escape"
Miss Maverick rolled her eyes upward
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