Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-10-18

| clined at ease. She placed the revolver or
the bolster at her side. From a receptacle
in the nature of a tidy. which was fastened
to the wall above her head, she drew q
small leather case. From this she took a
cigarette and match. With the most
charming air imaginable she proceeded to
light the cigarette and smoke.
Mr. Bennett watched all her movements,
feeling that he must be playing part in a
dream. 1t was perceptible relief when
she removed her eyes from his face, though
they were such pretty eyes. Yet, although
she was not looking at him, he felt that she
saw him all the time-he had a hideous
impression that she even saw what was
passing in his mind.
81 wouldn't think about my revolver.
You won't be able to fire it, you know"
He had been thinking about his revolver;
a faint notion had been growing up in his
mind that he would like to have just one
shot at her. Miss Jones made this remark
in the most tranquil tone Of voice, as she
was engaged IN extinguishing the match
with which she had lighted her cigarette.
"And | wouldn't worry about that chic
roform-it is chloroform, isn't ii Pin the
right-hand pocket of your coati"
As she said this, Miss Jones threw the
extinguished match from her on to the
bedroom floor A great cloud of horror was
settling down on Mr.. Benefits brain. Was
this fair creature thing of earth at all?
Was she a witch, or fairy queen? Mr..
! Bennett was tolerably well-educated man,
and he had read of fairy queens He gave
sudden start. Miss Jones had lighted
the cigarette to her satisfaction, and had
| fixed her eyes upon his face again.
II suppose you were hardly prepared for
this sort of thing ?"
e Hardy"
The word came from Mr.. BENEFITS
stammering lips.
"When you heard about the defense
lessness of Acacia Villa and about Miss
Jones-who was peculiar-and that sort of
thing, you doubtless took it for granted
that it was to be all plain sailingY'
Something of the kind"
Not the least Odd part of the affair was
that Mr.. Bennett found himself answering
Miss Jones without the least intention Of
doing anything of the sort.
"Those diamonds you were looking for
are at the bottom OF the drawer-at the
back. Just get them out and bring them
here. In a red leather case, you know"
Mechanically NJ. Bennett did as he
was told. When his back was turned to
the lady, and he ceased to be compelled to
meet her eyes, quite spasm of relief went
over him. A flint desire was again born
within his breast to assert his manhood.
The lady's quiet voice Immediately inter-
posed.
~ wouldn't worry myself with such
thoughts if | were you. You are quite
subjective"
He was subjective-though still Mr..
Bennett had not the faintest notion what
she meant. He found the red leather box.
He brought it to her on the bed. He
came so close to her that she pulled the
smoke between her rosy lips up into his
face.
at is not locked. 1t opens with a
spring, like this"
She stretched out her hand As she did
so she grazed slightly one of his. He
trembled at her touch. She pressed some
hidden spring in the box and the lid flew
open. 1t was full of diamonds which
cleaned and sparkled like liquid light.
''Not bad stones, are they? There's a
hundred thousand pounds worth at the
least. There are the tin boxes, you see.
Five on either side the chest of drawers
Mr.. Bennett followed the direction of Miss
Jones hand-he saw them plainly enough.
"a hundred thousand pounds worth of
diamonds in your hand, ten thousand
pounds il front of you-not bad plumber
for a single nights work. And only a
young woman to reckon whit is not
twelve months since l turned twenty -one.
Yet don't think you will get much out OF
this little job-do your"
The tears actually stood in Mr.. Benefits
eyes.
81 don't think l SHALL" he moaned.
"And yet there is no magic about it-not
the least 1t is simply an illustration OF
the latest phase in scientific Development
Miss Jones leaned back against the pillows
enjoying her cigarette with the ethereal.
lied satisfaction of the true lover of the
weed With her left hand-what little
white and dainty hand it was she toyec
with her long fair hair. "At an ex
tremely early age l discovered that coulc
exercise at will remarkable powers over
my fellow creatures. lost no opportunity
to develop those powers. At p | became
my own mistress. | realized my fortune
as Hannah told you-and retired to AGA
cia Villa. You understand had ideas o
my own. / was peculiar, if you choose t.
have it so. / continued to develop my
powers. l experimental upon Hannah
Now am experimenting upon you. | an
enjoying this experiment very much in
deed. hope you are enjoying it guar
ter as much as l am-are you? ?" Som'
slightly inarticulate remark dropped from
Mr.. Bennett, which was apparently to thu
effect that he was not.
81 am sorry to hear that. Perhaps yol
will enjoy it more little later on. Now
what shall do with you? know"
Miss Jones pressed a little ivory button
which was one of row set in frame 0
wood against the wall.
''That rings an electric bell in Hannah
room. often ring her down in the MD
die of the night to be experimental on
She comes directly. Here she is, you see.'
There was slight tapping against thu
bedroom door.
"Come inp' exclaimed Miss Jones.
The door opened and Miss Welsh cam
in. She was not exactly in full dress il
fact, rather the other way. Mr.. Bennett
who through it all was conscious in hor
SUI vi d bApuShb Via
he had never seen any one look so ex
tremely unprepossessing as Miss Welsl
looked in disarray. The instant she wa
inside the room Miss Jones raised he
hand. Miss Welsh stood still. Miss Jone
turned to Mr.. Bennett.
81 have her entirely under control
Some of the results / have obtained witt
her are really quite remarkable. Blu
you shall see for yourself and Judge" Tn
, young lady addressed Miss Welsh.
swell, Hannah, here is Mr.. Bennett
you see"
/ 1t was evident that Hannah did see
She seemed struggling to give expression
to her feelings in speech. Miss Jones wen
calmly on:
"He is here on business-he is commit
ting burglary, in fact, You were right ii
, , s,.r,,nsirn tLaf uas HE profocsior TIL