The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-26
the hard fortune which had been dealt him,

and the ease with which his fallen greatness
might DO restored. Rafrles Haw listened DO
litely. bowed. smiled. but mover showed the
slightest inclination to restore the auerulous
old Runmaker to his pedestal.
But II the refuses wealth was a lure which
drew the beggars from far ana nenr. as lamp
draws the moths. 1t had tho same power OF
attraction upon another and much more dan
gerous class. Strange hard faces were seen In
tho village street, prowling figures were
marked at night stealing about among the flr
plantations, and warning messages arrived
from city police and county constnbulary to
say that evil visitors were known to have
taken train to TamHeld. But II. as RAN es Haw
held. there were few limits to the power OF i'm
mense wealth. 1t possessed among other things
the power OF sef-preservation. as one or two
people we're to learn to their cost
Would you mind stepping up to the Hall"
no said one morning. putting his head in at
the door OF the Elmdene sitting room. :" have
something there that might amuse you." He
was on intimate terms with the Mc1ntyres
now. and there were few days n which they
did not see something OF each other.
They gladly accom- panied him. all three. for
such Invitations were usually tho prelude OF
some agreeable surprise which he had In store
for them.
Il have shown you tiger" he remarked to
Laura as he led them into the dining room.
II will now show you something quite IS dan
Rerous. though not nearly so pretty" There
was ON arrangement OF mirrors at one end Of
tho room. with largo circular glass at sharp
angle at the top.
Look in therein the upper glass;" said
Rafaes Haw.
Good gracious. what dreadful looking
mont" cried Laura There are two OF them
and don't know which Is the worse"
What on earth are they doing 2" asked Rob-
ert "They appear to be sitting on the ground
In some sort OF cellar"
Most dangerous looking characters" said
tho old man: should strongly recommend
you to send for policeman"
II have done 80. But 1t seems work Of
snperogaton TO take them to prison. for they
arc very snugly in prison already. However.
supp ose that the law must have it's own"
And who are they. and how did they como
there Do tell us. Mr.. Haw." Laura Mcintyre
had a pretty beseeching way with her which
went rather piouantly with her ousenly style
Of beauty.
"Iknow no more than you do. They were
not there last night and they are here this
morning. SO suppose It is safe inference
that they came in during tho night, especially
as my servants found the window open when
they came down. As to their character and
intentions SuOulu tulHk tubt ~ pEetty loklDlo
upon their faces. They look pair OF beauties.
don't they2'
But 1 cannot understand In the least whore
they are" said Robert. staring into the mirror.
Ono Of them has taken to buttlnE his head
against the WALL No. he Is bending so that the
other may stand upon his back. He Is up
there now and. the light is shining upon his
face. What bewildered. ruhianly face It ia,
too. should 30 like to sketch 1t. 1t would be
a study for the picture am thinking OF. Of the
Reign CT Terror"
Il have caught them In my patent burglar
trap" said Haw. They are my first birds, but
I have no doubt that they will not be the last.
I will show you how It works 1t is quite a
new thing This flooring is now as strong "a
possible. but every night dsconnect it. 1t Is
done simultaneously By central machine for
| every room on the ground floor. When the
| floor Is disconnected one may advance three
| or four steps. either from the window or door.
| and then that whole part turns on hinge and
| slides you into padded strong room beneath.
where you may kick your heels until you are
released. There is o central basis between the
hinges. where the furniture is grouped for the
night. The flooring flies into position again
whom the weight Of the intruder is removed.
and there no must blde. while l can always
take peep at him BY this simple little optical
|
| to have look at my prisoners before handed
Thorn over to the head constable. who. l see. ID
now coming up the avenue"
Tho Door burglars!" cried Laura. 1T Is n
wonder that they looked bewildered. for SUP.
pose Mr.. Haw. that they neither know where
they are nor how they came there. am sc
glad to know that you guard yourself In this
way. for l often thought that you ran q
danger"
Have you p" said he. lsmtline round q:
her. Il think that my house is fairly burglar
proof. have one window which may be used
as an entrance. tho centre one OF the three O.
my laboratory. l keep 1t 80 because to tel
the truth. am somewhat OF night prowler
myself. and when treat myself to o ramble
under the stars like to slip In and out with
out ceremony. 1t would. however be a fortu
nate rogue who picked the only safe entranc,
out OF a hundred. and even then he might fnt
pitfalls. Here is the constable. but you mus
not go. for Miss Mcintyre has still something
to SEQ In my little place. II you will step int
my billiard room will bs with you In q very
few moments"
CHAPTER VIII
A BILLIoNAIRES PLANS.
| hrH Iokh ~