The free press., 1894-08-30

business had taken him there on two
days warming and had brought him
back as suddenly. He could not tell
how soon the present matter would be
disposed of or where he would GO
next.
81 am an uncertain fellow" he said,
laughing, 'and never know my own
plans two weeks in advance. Indeed,
my plans are largely made for me, and
go and come usually at the bidding
of Others"
While he was talking DR.. Van
Schoonhoven entered, and | did not
see the Major again that evening, as /
presently returned to the reception
room, the Major remaining for chat
with his host.
was decidedly ill at ease, for had
that piece of burglar alarm in my
pocket, and could find no opportunity
to put it back. L was fully aware that
my hasty action might be miscon-
strued by one who did not know me,
and L was anxious lest the Major had
seen me take it down, though not IN
the most remote way had either of us
referred to the subject. 1t was no
business of his, though, in any case,
aud deemed myself III no way bound
to consult him in so trivial an affair.
Besides was inclined to think he had
not seen me take the piece of metal.
1t subsequently appeared, however,
that he did see me take it, and that his
actions were strongly influenced by
the ideas the trifing incident sug-
gested to him.
AS it happened, found no oppor-
tunity to approach the window again,
and went home with the bit of metal
in my waistcoat pocket.
That night an attempt was made to
rob DIR. Schoonhoven's house, the
burglars entering by the very window
from which had removed the burglar
alarm. They did not succeed in Sc
curing any plumber, but were fright
ened away before any valuables were
found.
Now, this attempted burglary was
similar to several others which had
taken place at some of the finest resi-
dences in town, in each case followed
only day or two after a reception or
ball similar to that at Dr. Van Schoon-
hoven's house. AS it happened, in
every instance but one had been a
guest at the entertainment, and l had
almost begun to fear lest the people
who had invited me should regard ME
as bird of evil omen and cease to
"request the honor of my presence"
at their houses.
Probably you are thinking of Major
Hoffman in connection with these rob-
berries?
I must confess that did not, though
/ had occasion afterwards to associate
him, more or less directly, with all of
them. 1 had met him but once and
for short time only, and his name
did not occur to me until two weeks
later, when Senator Cox's daughter
was married. At the reception In the
evening 1 met the Major again, suave,
polite, but, as before, suggesting
Mephistopheles.
encountered him dozen times that
evening, on the back veranda, in the
conservatory, IN the garden till l be-
gan to regard him as my evil genius.
Particularly did he hover in the
neighborhood of the roomful OF Sill
verware and jewelry which comprised
the wedding gifts. Though l did not
see him touch them or hear him speak
of them, it seemed as if some lrreslst-
able fascination held him in their VI
cinity. I think others noticed 1t as
we'll as 1, for l saw them looking at
him and remarking upon his actions
among themselves.
When left the house the last per-
son saw was the major, who went OUT
with me and left me at the corner De-
low turning down the side street with
wave of his hand and CHEEKY
"Good night, Vance"
saw the major again that nlgh''
and it happened in this wise' ho
moon had gone down and 1t was near
ly 2 o'clock in the morning when' WIN
two friends, l stood in the garden III
the rear of the senator's house uhoer
the shadow of large bush. SUI
rora NV eyenlno dress but lau SOU