Evening star., 1898-10-08

from any abject fear of the law, and de
part the way he had come.
He peered about him, and suddenly the
critical spirit arose again. Burglars did
far more than such mere elementary en-
trance as this; they went into rooms, they
forced safes Well, he was not afraid. He
could not force safes because that would
he a stupid want of consideration for his
hosts. But he would go into rooms-he
would GO upstairs. Moreover, he told him
self that he was perfectly secure: an empty
house could not he more reasSuringly still
He had to clench his hands nevertheless
and summon all his resolution before he
began very softly to ascend the dim stair
case, pausing for several seconds between
each step. Above was a square LANDING
with one open and several closed doors,
and all the house was still. For a mo-
ment he stood wondering Wnat would nap
pen ii some sleeper woke suddenly ana
emerged Tho open door showed a moonllt
bed room the cOverlet white and undls-
turbed Into this room ne crept in three
intcrrninable minutes and took a piece OF
soap for his plunder-his trophy. He turn,
ed to descend even more softly than ne hao
ascended. 1t was as easy as. HIST!
Footsteps! On the gravel outside the
house. and then the noise Of a latchkey,
the yawn and bang of a door, ana tne
splitting of match in the hall below Mr.
Iedbetter stood petrified by the sudden dis
covery of the folly upon which he mad
come. How on earth am l to get out or
this?'' said Mr.. Ledbetter.
The hall grew bright Win Il cdllule hhiic'
some heavy object bumped against the UNI
brella stand and feet were ascending lhe
staircase In a flash Mr.. Ledbetter reailze1
trat his retreat was closed. He stood Tor d
moment. a ritiful figure OF pehltehs cp"I 7
fusion. Ny goodness! What 1901 l
have beenp' Re whispered, and then darted
swiftly across the shadowy LANDING i@it9 INTO
the empty bed room from which ne hau
just come. He stood listening -quiN e. iatii iriS
The footsteps reached the first floor land
Horrible thought! This was possibly tne
late comer's room, Not mornent was 20
be lost. Mr.. Ledbetter stopped 9esloe S w;
he'd. thanked heaven for a valance, anu
crawled within its protection not ten sec
ouds too soon. He became motionless on
LaT1s and knees The advancing candle
light appeared through the thinner sulcles
of the fabric the shadows ran wildly ABOUT
and became rigid as the candle was put
down.
II ord what a day," said the new conner,
blowing nosiy, and seeming 10 deposit
some heavy burden on what Mr.. Ledpetter'
iudeing by the feet. decided to be a writ
ing table. The unseen then went 10 the
door and locked it, examined the fasten,
ings of the windows carefully and puileo
down the blinds and returning sat down
upon the bed with startling ponderosity.
What a day" he said; good LORD! ana
blew again, and Mr.. Iedbetter inclined 10
believe that the person was mopping MS
face His boots were good, stout boots. the
gested a formidable stoutness of aspect.
After a time he removed some upper gar
n,ents-a coat and waistcoat, Mr.. Ledbet-
ter inferred-and casting them over the
rail of the bed remained breathing less
noisily and. as it seemed. cooling from q
considerable temperature. At intervals ne
n-Uttered to himself and once he laughed
softly. And Mr.. Ledbetter muttered TO
himself. but he did not laugh. "Of all the
foolish thingsi" said Mr.. Ledbetter. What
on earth am / to do now?'
His outlook was necessarily limited. The
minute apertures between the stitches of
the fabric of the valance admitted a GER
tain amount of light, but permitted no
peeping The shadows upon this curtain,
save for those sharply defined legs, were
enigmatical and intermngled confusingly
with the horid patternng of the chintZ.
Beneath the edge of the valance a strip OF
carpet was visible, and by cautiously de-
pressing his eye Mr.. I.edbetter found that
this strip broadened until the whole area Of
the floor came into view. The carpet was
luxurious one. the room spacious. and to
judge by the castors and trimmings of the
furniture, well equipped.
What he should do he found it difficult
to imagine. To walt until this person had
gone to bed, and then, when he seemed
to be sleeping, to creep to the door, unlock
it and bolt headlong for that balcony
seemed the only possible thing to do.
Would 1t be possible to jump from the bal
cony? The danger of it.! When he thought
of the chances against him, Mr.. Ledbetter
despaired. He was within an ace of thrust
ing forth his head beside the gentleman's
legs. coughing If necessary to attract his
attention, and then smiling. apologizing and
explaining his unfortunate intrusion by a
lew well-chosen sentences. But he found
these sentences hard to choose. mo doubt
sir. my appearance is peculiar" or II trust.
sir, you will pardon my somewhat ambigu-
Gus appearance from beneath you," was
about as much as he could get.
Grave possibilities forced themselves on
his attention. Suppose they did not be-
Heve him, what would they do to him ?
Would his unblemished high character
burglar beyond dispute. Following out this