The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-25

bis hemtlaertneut be suddsrIy perneiyed
that theeidsrly Rautlernaa bad rtaced him
self In sach q position IS TO haz Ids passage
to the window, which constrained the only
available means Of exit. Ban no sooner
realized this than he was sessed with fierce
desperation which prOn1pbed Wm to whip
out his rev0iyEf and rush o6ndly forward
Stand back" said q quiet, thin voice
from TIE staircase; ''twenty-two PAGES Is
the right distance"
Bill paused abruptly, less in obedience
to the strangers request than because he
found himself confronted by the muzzle of
another revolver. This was . nsw and
dtsagreesble sensation. Bill had on occa-
sions used biz own weapon so effectively
that he felt no deaiPe wfrste7er to become
! practically acquainted With the contents
OF anybody else's. He instinctaveiy
| guessed that his opponents aim was IN
/ erring, and apart from this there was a
/ ring Of decision In the cracked voice which
seemed to COW him.
That IS right" said the stranger en-
/ couragingly as Bill su1kiiy dropped his
| arm. You needn't be frightened, my
| man; don't wish to harm you. Come up
stairs and have chat"
! The stranger rose as he spokeand stepped
aside, inviting Bill to mount the staircase
| by friendly gesture Of his hand. For an
instant Bill hesihated, but only for an in
slant. He was 30 dazed and startled that,
hardly conscious Of what he did, he meek
ly advanced, and presently found himself
in the entrance hall on the floor above.
The stranger followed him closely, re-
volver In hand-a circumstance which &C
tod in IN
misSiVe demeenor.
''Step In here" said the stranger polite
ly, turning aside into one Of the rooms.
He then proceeded 30 set light 70 the gas,
and this circumstance, slight as it was,
made considerable impression upon Bill,
for with professional caution our friends
fist step upon entering the house had been
to assure himself that the gas was turned
OF at the meter, and the strangers action
revealed that he had been equally ctyCum-
spect from his own point of view. The
idea that while preoccupied with business
his companion must have passed within
few feet of him seemed to Bill triie hu-
initiating.
Though be had not had leisure to bestow
d thought about the strangers identity
Bill had insengihy arrived at the conclu-
sion that he WEE in the presence of Mr.,
jenkins master, eud he felt somewhat en-
baTrassed and difhdant in consequence.
PRAY take q seat" SAID the gentleman,
subsiding into a capaoious arm chair. II
am delighted that happened Unexpectedly
to come home tonight. 1t was very alb
surd of me, but, do you know, have al
ways regarded your profession as some
what mythical"
This was Greek to Bill, who neverthe-
less vaguely resented the imputation,
whatever it might mean. But the truth
was that the impeFturbable GOODNESS or
condescension of his companions tone and
manner hurt his amour propre.
Il knew of course, that there were such
persons Us burglars and house breakers,
but / never hoped it would be my good
fortune to CONC across one. shall be de-
lighted to have chat with you. You
really must be seated, added his host, in a
slightly SgGrieved tone.
Conversation under any circumstances
was not Bill's forte, and he felt singularly
disinclined to prolong the interview; but
the elderly gentleman was SO pressing that
our friend half inyeiuntarily deposited his
person on the extreme edge of chair aud
stared at his companion with increasing
embarrassment.
81 regard your craft, my friend as a relic
of the bold buccaneeFing spirit which in
other days helped to make England glori-
GUS" said his host, contemplating him
dreamily through the smoke of his cigar.
Civilization has q great deal to answer
for Had you lived in the reign of let us
say, Queen Elizabeth, you might have been
a popular hero
Bill knew nothing of the historical period
referred to, but he gathered that the allu-
sioE was in the nature Of a personal com
pliment and therefore felt more at ease.
What we want in these days is legiti-
mate OCCASION for the exercise of those
talents which you possess. If there were
still rich gaileons on the Spanish main,
loaded to the matches with gold ingots and
pieces of eight waiting to be captured,
do you imagine that your courage and
your energy and your splendid disregard
OF the laws of meum and tuum would not
have been directed TO worthier objects than
housebreaking2 Ny friend, those brawny
hands Of yours would have grasped other
tools than the jimmy and silent matches"
Bill grunted acquiesesnce, for his imag-
ination was fired by the prospect OF rich
plumber. whether on the Spanish main or
elsewhere.
The pirate, the corsair, the privateers-
man. the buccaBeer-call him what YOU
will-whatz was be but q bold, ulscrupulous
blaokguaFd like yourSelfs But he had an
outlet-more or less legitimate-for his
energies and talents; and IL he had a sue
cessful career he was knighted and be-
came famous. Now, with you, my friend,
the more successful yoa are the less does
the community appreciate you"
YOU'RE right there. guv nor" growled
Bill darkly>
Il aEn glad you agree with me, said his
host pleasantly. "H is always satisfactory
to have ones theories verified. To my
mind. added his companion, at requires
at least as much courage and determine
ton to perpetrate, single handed, bur
glarious robbery upon u1known premises
as would be needed TO storm fortress or
to head boarding party. For that reason
have felt . sympathetic interest an your
profession.
"Wot.s your game, guv nor?" inquired
Bin abruptly, thinking this favorable
opportunity 60 elicit his companions in
tenGons.
An yes, you are quite right, said the
elderly gentleman, gizncing at his watch.
at is getting late; yoa wasn't to be OF,
suppose"
Yes" said Bill unheSitatingly-
Il tell you candfdly that don't think
YOU deserve IL you are 4 beginner, |
suppoee-a new hsndss
Il know my business, said Bill, not rel
Hhing the imputAson upon his skill.
well, you see, heard you. You woke
me up. That Hvss really very clumsy, :
wasn't it?' inquired his host good humor- /
sdly.
~ s;,,,. lr,.,,,- 80, v,-ss ~ homo - ~