The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-09-11

panlon with thud. Both alternately
tumbled and rolled to the last step.
Dick listened anxfously for minute.
Had he hurt them? No, for there was a
sound of ascending feet on the stair
way. He hurriedly slammed the door,
locked and bolted it. He then put his
ear to the crack and heard muttered
consultation between the two.
Finally there was tap on the door.
what is it?" he asked, striving to
contain himself.
The games up, Dick. Open and let
us out. 1t is I, Tom, and your Cousin
jack" said the voice of bunker.
$50 Jack is there" thought Dick, but
he only said. dwelling exasperatingly
on the false name of his chum: "What's
that you say, Bunker? Speak louder"
THE SECOND SURPRISE.
Despite the energetic expostulations
of his Cousin Jack and his chum, Tom,
Dick could not be prevailed upon to
utter another syllable. He stole around
to the cellar door and secured it from
the outside. The windows to the coal
bins were similarly secured and then
Dick tiptoed back into the house. He
paused minute to listen at the cellar
door and then went upstairs for book
to read. He intended to keep the boys
in suspense for half an hour or so and
then liberate them. This, he thought
would about equalize the joke.
He left the pistol on the table and
slowly assembled the stairs. AS he
reached the top he was treated to a Sec
ond surprise. Hardly was his foot on
the landing than he was grasped rudely
by the throat and ordered to throw up
his hands. The sudden attack threw
his new captor was obliged to tighten
his hold upon his throat before Dick
could gather sense enough to obey the
command. He was then unceremoni-
ously marched into his bedroom, where
the light was still burning.
The newcomer pushed Dick on to the
bed. and with command for him to lie
still, if he didn't wish to be interfered
with, proceeded to open the bureau
drawers.
Scarcely was the mans back turned
when Dick ran his hand under the pill
low in search of his revolver
Stop there! Up with your hands!"
The sharp-eyed househreaker had
seen in the mirror the reflection of
Dicks motions, and whirled upon him
before he could complete the move
ment.
He was obliged to yield, and it was
with the deepest chagrin that he saw his
pearl-handled weapon transferred to the
burglars pocket.
He now lay quite still and surveyed
the third of the nights intruders. This
last one was quite genuine, although he
did not come in the fashion of his pre-
decessors. He was short, stout, dressed
in a closefitting suit of dark material,
and carried revolver and bag. He
wore no mask, but a black slouched
hat, pulled down to meet his high
coat collar, partially concealed his feat
ureS.
He failed to discover any thing OF
value in the bureau, and ordering Dick
to get up, passed into another ROOM
Here the burglar met with some sort of
success, and knick-knacks of all sorts
were hastily thrown into the bag. Dick
watched the proceeding with unavailing
rage.
Having finished with the second floor
the housebreaker demanded to be led to
the china closet. Dick complied, but all
the time cudgeled his brains for an idea.
There was revolver on the kitchen
table, but how to get at it? He carried
the lamp in his hand, and the visitor
followed him at arms length with his
bag and firearms.
AS they reached the kitchen and pre-
pared to pass into the dining-roo1n Dick
yawned, turned down the wick of the
lamp a trifle and held it out at arms
length.
whats that for?" asked the burglar,
stopping and listening, as though he
feared it might be signal. He cooked
his head on one side and cast glance
behind him. AS he did so Dick slid
his arm along the table beside him,
and triumphant grin told of his sue
cess.
Eth? What's that for?" CALCULATED
the burglar, frowning angrily and COM
ing nearer as Dick drew away.
THE lamp smoked" said Dick,
thrusting the weapon into his pocket
and turning up the wick. He was wait
ing for the man to get his hands off that
pistol.
"Well, if that happens again I shall
knock you down! Dye hear?"
Dyes, Dick heard, but he said moth.
ing. He pointed out the closet in the
dining-room and was ordered to take a
seat.
'And mind we keep it."
Dick heard that but he did not reply.
He waited patiently for his chance,
which must come soon.
The burglar threw open the door, laid
his pistol down on a shelf and bent
down to pry open drawer, which, from
the strong lock, must contain something
of Importance. He had succeeded in
destroying the lock and had grabbed
the drawer with both hands, when a
slight noise behind him caught his ear.
Dick had draw his revolver and, ad.
vancing quickly to within few feet OF
the burglar, was now drawing a bead
on his right eye
keep just as you are," he admon-
ished him, ''or I'll speckle your eye"
Still holding his revolver poin ting
straight at the head of the surprised
burglar, he reached over and secured
the pistol on the shelf. Then he went
through the burglars pockets and re-
gained Lis own revolver.
When he had done so Dick Dire "
back and ordered his prisoner to stand
up The man hesitated, cast glance
at his iron Jimmy" on the floor, but
obeyed.
"What are you going to do with me?'
he asked.
Don't let that bother you," an.
swered Dick. >"You will be we'll taken
care of-very we'll, indeed"
Dick ordered the burglar to precede
him into the kitchen. Here he halted
for the moment
81 have determined to give you q
cnance to escape. 1t will be bare
chance, but that is not my affair. You
uys11 harn - ,,,o1ro xl,o ~