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

defense"
The figure wavered. and the nisto,
dropped in his hand.
lou 1ooi!' said Reginald, raising
hlmse'l slowly. and throwing the soft
silkeh 1oids aside from the cleaning
niue bulldog in the right hand,
"Dldht you know any better than to
give me that coat? Now, drop your pis-
tol on the lounge, quickr'
Ihere was something in the young fell
low tone that cowed the burglar. With
an oath he dropped his weapon where the
others dalntily clad feet had rested a
moment before.
Wv, mold up your hands and back off
bit. Ihat'n do! l can reach you with
two shots before you get to the door, and
give you another on the stairs. It's self
cochlhg' You know. That's rght-keep
them upr'
lie took up the pistol and backed slowly
TO ,iie sue OF the room, keeping the ugly
niue revolver leveled at the intruder.
"A sudden blaze of light from half a
dozen electric burners Illuminated the
whole apartment.
Inc burglar started and swore again.
De Peyster listened and swore again,
eyeing him keenly from head to foot.
NOT much capital for man in your
BUSINESS, said he, contemporary. "Why.
man, IL l had you" but he refrained
from roasting over a fallen enemy; nor
ana mat burglar know until long after
ward that his intended victim had re-
Gently pulled No. 2 in victorious uni
verslty crew, and was the finest all-round
athelete in the city club of ameteurs.
The burglar. on the other hand, seemed
to nave but little stamina. The other
experienced eye dwelt on his narrow
shoulders, his slight form, the thin. bony
Wrists that showed below the extended
gloves. He was breathing heavily and
coughed a little as he stood there COM
pletely cowed.
Put down one hand and turn inside
out all the pockets you can reach" said
DE Peyster, after celebrating a minute
as to the best method Of dealing with his
prisoner. He would have called the
butler, but he wanted to enjoy his victory
finst. and began to have vague notions
of marching the man unaided to station
No H.
The burglar did as he was requested
Nothing resulted but the appearance of
three coins, a nickel and two coppers.
HIM. Now up again and try the other.
All. you don't like that! Got a knife
perhaps, my friend, or another pistolw
The man shook his head, but still hest
tated.
Turn them out"' said De Peyster. saw
agely. No tricks, or it'll be the worse
for your
The others left hand came down slow
ly and turned the breast pocket of his
short jumper wrong side out.
Empty! Well. now, the other.."
The thin-gloved hand shook little as
it fumbled in the trousers pocket Then
it came out, slowly withdra wing-a baby Is
rubber rattle.
De Peyster gasped What on earth
look here. old chap, you're down on your
luck, aren't you"
The man nodded.
Drop your hands and sit down in that
chair. Now, then, before hand you owe
to the police. l want to ask one or two
questions. You needn't answer unless
you want to, and you needn't speak any
way. Then / shouldn't remember your
voice il I didn't want to. is that all
the money you've got about youY' point
ing to the seven cents on the floor.
The discounted criminal nodded.
Got more at home, l supposeT'
A decided shake Of the head.
Married man*"
Another nod.
"Children?'
The guilty head nodded again, and
dropped a little.
De Peyster reflected. and was evidently
have some sort of struggle with him
self. He was looking at the rattle, which
the man still retained in his gloved
hand-a travesty upon the murderous
weapon which had cleaned there few
minutes before.
Look here" said De Peyster, sud-
den thought striking him, "are there any
more of your sort in the house just now o.
The same mute denial.
III just turn the key, all the same to
guard against interruption" suiting the
action to the word Not that I doubt
what you say" he added alphabetically,
as he resumed his seat.
Another silence. The affair was becom-
ing embarrassing.
Say, old chap" Reginald broke out
at length, glancing at the thin wrists,
ut occurs to me that it's just barely pos
sble that you're not regular hand at
this sort Of thing, and are driven into it
by hard times"
pair of dark eyes, through the mask,
seemed to meet his with pleading ex-
preston, as their owner assented to his
captor's answer.
You might be even, well, say hun
gryy
Another nod, more vigorous than be-
fore.
"Sit right up to that table and finish
off my lunch, them" exclaimed the
young man, with a rush Of generous
emotion he could not resist "I'll trust
you with the--well, know you'll act on
the square, won't you?"
There was no mistake about the earn
estness OF the assent this time. AS the
man rose and walked across the floor.
De Peyster noticed that he hmped
slightly, and looked feebler than ever.
Don't take your gloves nor your mask
off if you can get along as You are
said the host. Lucky it's domino, so
You can eat under the flap"
The burglar devoured the food raven
ously and in silence.
Sorry, I've got nothing up here strong
err than lemonade" continued Reginald,
regretfully, as he poured out glass OF