The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-11

IN the most unlikely, most inevitable
place, was the open door Barred? II
was not even shut, but hung loose, sway
ing gently to and fro, with subdued bang
at each encounter with the door nos.
without a moments hesitation the duke
pushed it open He stood i'm a dark Dass-
age. lie turned the glare of his bulls-eve
on the gloom, which melted as the col
umn of light pierced it. and he saw
Ihere IS nothing at ALL" said the Duke
OF Belleville with a sigh
Nor indeed was there save an urnhreI,a
rack, hat stand and an engraving of the
queens coronation-things which had no
Importance for the duke.
Iney are only what one might ex,
pect," said he.
Yet he persevered and began to mount
the stairs with a silent cautious tread.
ne mad not felt it necessary to put on
the polceman's boots, and his thin-soled
well-made boots neither creaked nor
crunched as he climbed, resting one hand
on the balustrade and holding his lantern
in the other. Yet suddenly something
touched his hand and bell rang out,
loud, clear and tinkling. A moment later
came scream; the duke paused in some
bewilderment. Then he mounted few
more steps till he was on the landing
A door to his right was cautiously opened;
an old gentleman's head appeared
Thank heaven, it's the policew cried
the old gentleman. Then he pulled his
head in and said: "Only the police. my
dear" Then he put his head out again,
and asked: What in the world is the
matter? l thought you were burglars
when l heard the alarm"
Your hall door was standing open."
said the duke, accusingly.
Tut, tut, tut! How very careless of
me, to be surel And / thought l locked
it! Actually open! Dear me! I'm much
Obliged to you"
A look of disappointment had by now
spread over the dukes face
Didn't you leave it open on purpose?'
he asked. Come now! You can trust
me-"
"On purpose? DO you take me for
fool?" cried the cid gentleman.
"A man who leaves his door open on
purpose may or may not be fool" said
the duke. But there is no doubt about
a man who leaves it open without pur-
pose,' and so saying the duke turned,
walked downstairs and, going out, slam
med the door behind him. He was deeply
disguised.
When, however, he had recovered little
from his chagrin he began to pace up and
down the lane. 1t was now past midnight
and all was very quiet. The Duke began to
fear chat Fortune, never weary of tor
menting him, meant to deny all its interest
to his experiment. But suddenly, when he
was almost exactly opposite his own house,
he observed a young man standing in front
of it. The stranger was tall and well made /;
he wore black cloth Inverness, which,
hanging open at the throat, showed a white
tie and a snowy shirt front. The young
man seemed to be gazing thoughtfully at
the dukes villa. The duke walked quietly
up to him, as though he meant to pass by.
The young man, however, perceiving him,
turned to him and said:
ITS very annoying, but / have lost my
latch-key, and I don't know how to get
into my house"
Indeed, sir?" said the duke sympathet-
ically. Which is your house?'
This answered the young man, point
ing to the Dukes villa.
The Duke could not entirely repress a
slight movement of surprise and pleasure.
This your house? Then you are he
began.
Eyes, yes, the Duke of Belleville,' inter-
rupted the young man. But there's no
body in the house. I'm not expected"
81 suppose not" murmured the Duke.
There are no servants, and l don't
know how to get in It's very awkward,
because I'm expecting IA friend to call"
with my assistance" said the Duke,
deferentially, your Grace might effect
an entry by the window"
True" cried the young man. Bring
your lantern and give me a light Look
here, 1 don't want this talked about"
1T is a matter quite between ourselves,
your Grace" the Duke assured him, as
he led the way to the window.
by the bye, you might help me in an
other matter if you like. I'll make 1t worth
your while"
Il shall be very glad" said the Duke.
could you be spared from your beat
for an hour%'
1T might be possible"
Good. Come in with me, and we'll
talk it over"
The Duke had by this time opened the
window of his villa; he gave the young
man a leg-up, and afterwards climb in
himself.
shut the window again." commanded
the stranger. "Oh, and you might as well
just close the shutter"
Certainly, your Grace" said the Duke,
and he did as he was bid.
The young man began to move round
the room, examining the articles that fur
nished the side tables and decorated the
walls. The Duke of Bellville had been
for a year or two an eager collector OF
antique plate and had acquired some fine
specimens in both gold and silver. Some
of these were now in the villa, and the
young man scrutinezed them with close
dLleullOu.
Dear mel" said he in vexed tone, as
he returned to the hearth. Il thought the
Queen Bess fagon was here. Surely
sent it here from Bellville castle.
The Duke smiled; the Queen Bess fagon
had never been at Belleville Castle, and
il was now in a small locked cabinet which
stood on the mantelpiece. He made no re-
mark; a suspicion had begun to take
shape in his mind concerning this strange
visitor. Two thousand seven hundred and
forty guineas was the price that he had
paid for the Queen Bess flagon; all the
other specimens in the little room, taken
together, might be worth perhaps quar-
ter as much.
Your Grace spoke of some other matter
in which might assist you?" he suggest
ed. for the young man seemed to nave
fallen into reverie.
"Why, yes. AS | tell you, ! expect
friend; and ii looks very absurd to nave
no servant. You're sure to find a suit OF
dress clothes in my bedroom. Pray put
them on and represent my valet. You can
resume your uniform afterwards
The Duke bowed and left the ROOM The
moment the door closed behind him he
made the best of his way to the kitchen.
A few words were enough to impart ms
suspicious to the policeman. A daring ana
ingenious scheme was evidently on foot
It's object being the theft Of the Queen Bess
AZ non IVAN NOW unless they acted Quick>