The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-22

Half an hour later, Dick Thomas. ii
thief. was working at John Wright's fror
door, and to his amazement he could nc
| throw the latch. In turn he tried all hi
keys. but none would meet the require
ments OF the occasion
Dick Thomas had returned to the city
Withdrawn all of John Wright's none,
lost 1t in speculation. and had found on
John Wright's residence and meant I
plumber the Reuter- residence. and turl
over the booty to john Wright as a re
endorsement. Now he had a check in
stead. He desired TO place 1t in JONI
| Wright's hands. In conformity TO his Pc
culiar nature he had desired 10 do ii dra
| matically, to walk 10 the old mans bed
SIDE after breaking into his house anC
awakening him. TO present him with TIT
| check He desired to do this in this way be
| cause it was venturesome.
| But. after finding he could not throw tn.
| latch. he was under the painful necessit,
| OF knocking and entering the house in
purely orthodox and customary manner
He reached TO knock, but took his hand
away.
II don't like to make this just a socia
| CALL" ne said. There is no adventure ir
a 'good-evening'' and a have a seat?
Drat the lock, Why don't il turn?'
He took another key and tried again
| but the key wabbled In the lock and turn
ed easily without attaching.
Queer" he said again. That key has
been an unfailing open sesame until this
| moment. / suppose will have 10 knock y
He placed his hand against the door. but
took ii away again with look Of trimming
disgust.
weeping Rachelp' he cried. Has II
come TO this, that the best way 10 bar
a burglar out is 10 invite him in. You
idiot, VIII the knob turn? Yes. And will
the door open? Yes"
The door had not been locked. He open
ed it as he spoke and stepped in and
closed il firmly behind him.
Midnight" ne said, referring to the
impenetrable darkness. The old gentle
man has poor carpets; nap is worn away
and that rugs as hard as biscuit of the
tertiary period. Dick Thomas. What IS
that, A woman.
At the end of the hall. Nell Everett
passed, awake and dressed. The thief
caught the stealthful crouch OF her figure
and slipped along the wall Of the hall, side
ways.
She passed on up the stairs, stealthfuily,
step by step, with the thief pursuing her
figure and swearing that every step creak-
ed like an explosion.
He followed her in the dark until she
seemed TO stop; then he stopped, and as she
struck a match and lighted lamp. he
drew back behind some old and dusty cur
tains. He watched her turn the lamp down
and place it on the floor and then watch
ed her approach him. He swallowed hard
and said:
II wonder if that gulp sounds as loud
on the outside as it does on the ins:de?"
She passed on by him and into an open
door at his elbow. She presently returned
with a bunch of keys hanging 10 finger.
She went again to the lamp. turned 1t
lower and then tried key after key in the
door at the end of the hall.
II would take pleasure in oblig!ng you,
madam" he said TO himself. II have quite
a curious little collection myself"
Finally the door opened. and she passed
In He was down the hall in flash and
inside the open door. closing il behind
him.
She turned to him and fell back upon
the berch, covered with bottles. viais anG
retorts and books.
81 compliment you" he said, suppressinS
a grin because he thought il might fright
en- her You have not got your voice ye.
and 1 take your query for granted. j
you that you die not scream.
You have excellent self-control. madam,
believe me- Being still estranged from ar
ticulation 1 shall merely suppose that You
demand an explanation for my presence
here, and l in turn, craving an introduce |
ton, beg leave 10 inform you l cannot |
very we'll explain until know who is re- |
,ipent of my confidence, and so one-s.dsd !
this conversation has been, that is beyond |
ny fancy. and 1 must wait until you are |
restored &c amica,'.e relations with your |
vocal organs. Pray be seated and calm /
yourself
She had not taken her eyes from the |
speaker In frign: t.ey we're widely dilated
md the bloom o. her cheek turned chalky
II fear.
There is no reason for fear" he said.
None " hatever You III not expect 10 see
, strange man here. hut re Is here and
,ou should make ne best o; it. just as
,ou would IL the sun s2oLld fail 10 rise
some morning What Il your name, and
\ hat have you to DO with John Wright?
am his friend. You may speak without
How ale you his friend?" she Tanaged
o gasp.
"As you would be, fancy" he said. Il
ave robbed HIM"
II would mol rob h:.n," she said. WHO
re you?'
III we could arrange TO tell each other
our identity l fancy We
ould get over tals difficulty. l am afraid
o tell YOU who / am. and evidently you
re afraid TO tell me who you are. Sup
,cse you grant that we are both guilty.
hen will take the lead
Il grant that" she SAID. with curiosity
truegling through her fears.
He told her his story fully and with the
reatest simplicity. making but Few explain
tons of his conduct, and then with great
syity.
When ne had finished she told simply |
hat John Wright had befrisnded her. and
hat he had lost his mind over the study
{ chemicals. and that something must be
one 10 separate him from his folly.
81 see" he said. But why chemicais7'
II do not know" she answered You
emembcr the library OF Don Qu.xo;e and
5 fate?'
Clearly. You would Jump his labor.
Dry out the window
Farther than the street below. Into tire
Ike"
And tha. Is your mission here tonight
Yes
"perni, ne 20 relieve you OF the task. |
You'd .rankness offend your
''Frackness
You az a mos: charming woman"