The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-16

might vail MN no was Returning st
once with his precious charge. II not,
he would start himself at once.
At length Brett resigned himself to
the inevitable and strovs as best he
could to get through the weary hours.
But do what be would he could not
sleep. II he closed his eyes for few
minutes and fell into fltful doze, 1t
was only to awake with a start with
the idea Of something dreadful happen.
ing to Mabel or that he was fighting
with Keighley Gates. At last, after one
Of these dreams, he found himself hope
lessly wide awake; so, finding sleep was
impossible, he lay with open eyes star
ing into the darkness
Suddenly he heard a noise In tho
house. He sat up in bed and listened
intently. There was click and the
opening Of q oreaking door. Perhaps
Mrs. Fenton was worse. He opened his
door quietly and peered out.
No; there was low gaalight burning
on the landing outside, and no one was
about. He waited and listened. All,
there it was again, and down stairsl
Good heavens, there must be burglars
In the housed
He hastily put on some clothes and
then cast about for weapon. There
was nothing better than a poker, and
with this in his hand he made his way
down the staircase.
At each step he stopped and listened,
but there was absolute silence, and he
began to think he had been mistaken.
He waited at the bottom Of the stairs
for further Indications. He must have
been there fully five minutes before he
caught sound. but at last be was GER
tain some one was moving about in the
dining room. Grasping his weapon
firmly, be opened the door.
The room was dimly lighted by the
rays of dark lantern, and at the far
end Brett saw q man busily engaged
with the silver on the sideboard. There
were couple Of open bags on the table,
and in them and around them he saw
quantity Of the household plate. The
man had his back toward him and did
not hear his entrance, and Brett was
close upon him before a breaking board
betrayed him. The thief turned round
instantly and faced him. Brett knew
him in moment, despite his disguise.
1t was the man he was looking for, the
man be had seen coming from Keighley
Gates rooms, the man who had tried
to rifle the body Of Lady Florence Mos
tyn, the man whom he suspected had
abducted Mabel At last he was face to
face with the scoundrel. He had him
in his power. With fierce exultation he
raised his weapon.
Hands up, you BLACKBOARD" cried
he. "or I'll brain you'll"
The mans hands mechanically went
up aloft.
"Now, DR.. Fitzgerald, said Brett
tive meet again.
He never finished the sentence, for
there was a stealthy step behind him
and terrible blow on the head with a
life preserver, and he fell senseless and
without CRY.
"Thanks, old chap, said Fitzgerald,
dropping bis arms with sigh Of relief.
"Whoever would have expected that
donkey turning up here9"
Course him." Kissed Gates between
his teeth. HE and I are quits now.
But look sharp. Stow away what swag
we have and olose up. We must be off.
Others may have heard us. I'll 60 and
LISTEN"
Leaving Fitzgerald to collect the
booty and without bestowing a thought
on the inanimate body on the floor,
Gates opened the door softly and went
out In the hall.
In an instant he saw that the house,
hold had taken alarm. There was whis.
pering, the opening Of doors, and he
caught the sight Of figure on the stairs
Without even giving signal Of alarm
to Fitzgerald, Gates ran to the front
door. It was the work Of an instant to
open it and in another he was flying
down the steps into the street. Here his