Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-07
slriek she .prang to her feet. crying.

IN the pRfty Cuutu fttnci uts pItScu'c vi
mind the desperate burglar had quietly re-
tired TO q seat in corner of the drawing
room.
Now this was very discouraging. Here
was number Of young men who saw q
great opportunity TO distinguish them
selves in the eyes Of the fair. but the bold
burglar was so self-possessed. and, aside
from an air OF well-feigned amusement,
was so dignifed that 1t was really rather
embarrassing.
Now. If be had only done as any we'll
meaning burglar would naturally doom
the stage. If he had only jumped on the
tabletRnd. while swinging chair around
his head. drawn two or three knives from
his pocket. ut the same time tlllng the
perfumed al. with strange oaths-if be had
only done something OF that sort the
course would have been clear.
As Il was. il seemed particularly awk-
ward TO 90 up TO this quiet. selt-contaned,
gentlemaniy man and haul him all over
the floor. But the men felt that they must
assert themselves in some way. just then
the pallid. washed-out dude-who was
prominent IN the rear of the group-raised
his voice to the effect that some one ought
10 shoot the desperate villain. At this re-
mark about shooting the beautiful girl
with the blue eyes came TO the front and
in a quiet, unosteDtatious way, proceeded
TO squelch the irrepressIble dude for his
bloodtbirsty suggestion.
Then Mr. Herford calmly arose and at
tempted TO explain affairs but II was OF
no use in the absence of his friend, who
had gone 10 escort q young lady home. A
dozen Of the men seated themselves so as
to fence him securely into the corner while
waiting for the Sheriff. for whom they had
sent
Then the pallid dude once more dis
tinguished himself byreferring to trip he
bad recently made 10 New York, where.
among other places of interest, he had
visited the police headquarters and had
been shown through the Inspectors pri-
waite rooms filed with criminal curIoslties
and his penetrating gaze had studied every
photograph in the Rogues' Gallery. And"
added the dude with an air OF victory,
pointing triumphantly at Hertord, that
burglars photograph was there. No. 69ll !.
| remember il Just as well as can be, and
he was described as one of the most dan
gerous in the business. and think-
But at this moment came violent ring
ing at the street-door: Inc young lsdles,
who had occupied themselves in dong
more or less fainting. came out from the
end of the room, where they had all
huddled. TO see the newcomer. The
massive form of the pompous Sheriff
filed the door. Once more Mr.. Her
ford attempted TO explain, but he re-
allied his helplessness IN the absence
of Jack. In reply TO the Sherlffs re-
quest the burglars trayelling-bag was
brought into the room-a leather yallse OF
the shane and style commonly used by
gentlemen. The beautiful girl with the
blue ewes was then asked if she recog-
nized it. Reaching toward 1t with a little
cry of jov, her eyes encountered those OF
the hunted man, then with start she sud
denly drew back, saying: mo, no, I'm
not sure"
But other members Of her family came
right forward claiming that they could
recognize Uncle Dams valise among
thousand.
The officer proved to be a gentleman of
limited education, limited experience. but
unlimited pOmposity. Finding the yalise
locked he turned and in a tone and Ian
Cuaye not calculated TO soothe ordered the
hitherto quiet and placid prisoner TO hand
over the key. This caused a transforma-
ton scene. In one second Herford was
through the ring of men who had hitherto
supposed thew were holding him from es-
cape. and Selling the officer by the collar
was Just laying down the law, when an
other violent ring Mt the door was heard,
and in rushed Uncle Dan followed by JACK.
OF course, every one tried to talk at
once-eyery one at least, but the triumph
ant burglar. who now felt wiling 10 await
developments, particularly as he noticed
that Uncle Dan held in his hand travel
ling-bag of exactly the same style as ms
own. The dude was eXcltediy talking about
6g1I In the Rogues' Gallery.
The Sheriff. still held down In char 10y
Herford's unrelenting grip, managed 10
gasp out, MIR. Lorng, I've got-your-
burglar: | claim-the--" But Uncle
Dan, with big laugh, real, big-hearted
laugh. that seemed more like music 10
Herford than anything he had heard that
night went up 70 the ex-burglar, and lay
ING his hand kindly on his shoulder,
said ladies, allow me to present to you
Mr.-Mr.-"
''G9il." chimed in the uncrushable dude
"Harrison HEREFORD" prompted Jack.
- the man who, by his courage and
energy, saved our house from being heap
of ashes.n
After the introduction, in reply TO hun
bred excited questions, Uncle Dan explain
ed that. after examining the dining-room,
il should have been evident to the most
stupid observer (here he gave careless
Glance at the Sheriff that the stranger had
extinouished rather than started the ire.
| "ant, in regard 10 the diamonds, why. they
are right here.n said he, opening hls bag.
THE bag was simply misplaced-that IS
| that little eight-year-old nephew OF NINE,
| in one of his miscmeyous hts. simply push
| ed it under the sofa. >,
As soon as Herford could free himself
| from the apologies, introductions, and
congratulations he hurried TO look at the
| old clock There was still time to get the
| train. =,
| "Don't mind that ancient timepiece,"
| said Jack: "why dear boy, that clock has
not been right these ten years. and your
| tram left three quarters of an hour ago"
just then a soft hand was laid gently on
his arm: a pair of lovely blue eyes, shaded
| by golden bang, looked up into his, and
n sweet. low voice tried to make an apology
| for the discomfort he had endured. She
! added: ITO prove that 69ll forgives, me
YOU must dine with us tomorrow and help
| mo 10 lead the german in the evening""