The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-09

Now, If you please, my frend, IL
light you downstairs
Softly the two crept down over the
deep Administer carpets to the front door,
as if they were pair of successful bur-
glars.
Good night. old man." whispered
Reginald. IF anybody about your
height should come to my Office, 16 High
street, tomorrow morning at 10, | might
help him about getting situation. He'd
be stranger to me, of course
He took the gloved hand, it felt singu-
larry frail and thin in his own-for an
instant, and then the tall stumbling figure
limped rapidly away. Reginald could
see that he paused moment in the
shadow of the first tree, and knew that
he was removing the mask. A moment
more and the burglar was lost to sight.
Glad you lad such a good happetite,
SIR" said Thomson as his master came
down to breakfast next morning. Il was
feared you wouldn't like the meat, sir,
twas such 'ot night"
"Ah. yes, Thomson" said Reginald
languidly. "The meat was very good
very good indeed. You needn't bring
any tonight, though. The cake will be
quite enough"
AS he was smoothing his silk hat just
before leaving the house. Thomson again
put his well-ordered English self in evil
dence.
Hi was a-looking over your room just
now, sir, and found this hunder the ia
BILE. Is it hany think you want, sir?'
The absolute immobility of his broad
red c0untenance was perfect as he hand
ed the object to his master.
1t was baby's rattle.
Moves" said Reginald hastily. Il,
was left-that. is ! took it by mistake
from a friend of mine. Leave it in m,
room when YOU go up again, will your
And he made his escape.
AS 10 o'clock drew near, the youns
lawyer-for such was his professionals
in his Office, playing rather nervousl.
with his ruler. The office clock said 9:45
but he could not verify the time, as III
had no watch. The burglar had mad
vertently retained that article.
Lucky / was having my repeater re
paired" said De Peyster. The old sill
yer thing he took wasn't worth $50
bill. But he'll bring it back, he'll brins
it back. He must be honest!'
He glanced at the clock. The hant
crept slowly around to 10, but no burglar
appeared. Five minutes, ten. quarter
past.
There was Il knock at the door. ant
woman appeared, apparently a client
about as astonishing an apparitiOn in hi
newly opened office, as burglar.
Take Il seat, madam" said Reginald
rising politely, and motioning to a chair
What can l do for your
The woman. who was very tall ant
angular, advanced limping slightly "a
she did SO. She did not sit down.
Here's some property of yoursI wisl
to restore sir" she said
Reginald started at the SQUAD of hel
voice as if he had been shot
''What-what do you mean?' he STAN
mered springing to his feet, and eyeins
her in blank amaze.
I'm sorry / took it, she went on
steadily. in queer. hoarse tones, !ayins
down his watch as she spoke "You
didn't know it was a woman You wer,
treating so kindly. sir, did yos?''
Reginald was too taken a-back to speak
He simply stared. There was no mis-
taking her sex now. though he could SCI
that her tall spare figure could be easily
disguised i'll loose-fitting attire. He
halr too. was too short.
I'D never have done it, sir if it hadn
been for the children" she went on trem
ulously. MY husband was sent up fol
five years last winter know just how
he always worked, and / thought your
house was empty, all but the man who
sleeps downstairs. Then when I saw
you, and you looked smaller than I was
something put it into my head to scare
ynfr nd
silver in the dining room or pantry" she
added, with momentary sly look, which
however, instantly disappeared and was
replaced by the former expression of graf
itude and pleading in the great pleading
eyes.
NO" gasped Reginald. ''it's all in the
music room safe. And to think that you
were woman-I can't realize it.
Il must 60 now, sir; thanking you Il
thousand times for your Kindness. II
never take to that line again. You've
saved me from life of crime, and the
children had good breakfast this morn.
ing"
But can't do something to help you?
istammered Heginald. still bewildered
by the sudden turn affairs had taken.
Thank you, sir; I've been out already
and got some sewing to do. I've got new
courage now to earn an honest living,
and l can do it if 1 try"
I'm going away tomorrow for a few
weeks, but if ! cam do anything in the
fall, be sure to come to me-" said Regi-
maid, taking her hand kindly. "Goodby
I'm glad things turned out SO we'll"
"Gocdby, sir. God bless your and she
was gone.
Ten days later, Reginald, lounging on
the piazza of the West End, at Bar Har-
Dor. was handed telegram from the
Chief of Police Of his own city. 1t was
to the effect that his house had been en-
tered the night before, the safe forced,
and valuables to the amount of $1,000 or
So, 900 taken, according to the estimate of
Jacob Thomson, the Butler. 1t would
be well, the chief added, for Mr.. De Pey-
Ster to come to town at once, to assist in
taking measures for the detection of the
criminals and recovery Of the stolen
goods.
Reginald resignediy packed his valise
for the evening train, and duly started
for his home. In his pocket he carried a
letter which had been delivered to him
at the West End in the afternoon mail.
It's contents were as follows:
Dere Sir-I make bold to rite you and
tell you am sorry was oblige to visit
your house wunse mOar, and TINS Time
j had better luck. Sue plade it well in
your offs, dident she? She got Onto my
limp and fuled you good and is a Credit