Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-01-26


which I had taken to be some frea;,
of wind and rain. 1t was Maggie
giving the danger signal.
I felt the revolver in my pocket bnt
the light played along that bit of
steel between the curtains, and I was
we'll aware that the other man had
the drop" upon me. I heartily wish
ed had stayed in my room with the
door locked, not being fond of fxur
ing in a murder case, and then
would have had chance for nv life,
Jim Bragg thought the safe held five
thousand dollars which, in some vay.
he had learned that had drawn from
the bank the previous afternoon in
order to meet note which should
have been presented but which had
been delayed in the mail. He was
mistaken, however, the money, along
with the rest of our valuables, was in
the bank. [ met the cashier on the
street early in the evening and induced
him to go to the bank with me and
let me place the money in~my safe de
posit box.
My lady moved slightly, bent for
ward eagerly. Presently she lifted her
head as if partly dazed, then her arms
were thrown up and a Wailing cry
broke the silence.
''Where, oh, where am II"
She would have made capital act
ress if she had not chosen to be bur
glaress. l advanced at once, l knew
10 CT l,,3+ 7
also had part to play.
do not be alarmed, madam; see
you are a sleep-walker. Your home
must be near here. l have been wait
ing for you to waken, fearing to arouse
you too suddenly"
Rising gracefully, with an embarass-
ed laugh she said,-
'What an awkward situation!
have walked i'll my sleep all my life,
but never did any thing like this be-
fore. l fear I must trouble some Of
the ladies Of your family for cloak
or something suitable for street wear,
and if one of your servants would see
me home would be greatful."
''Where do you live? l said.
cat seven fifteen Spruce street,
''That is three blocks from here;
how did you ever come so far without
waking?" Or getting wet, I could
have added, but thought it unwise.
''That is mystery known only to
sonambulists," she replied. "But," a
trifle impatiently, II am OBTAINING
YOU"
| This was a hint to go after the suit
able street dress of which she had
spoken and incidentally give her q
chance to get away.
II regret to say" 1 rejoined, "that
we are entirely alone in the house;
my family is away for the summer,
and as my wife has her keys with her,
there is nothing I can offer you in the
way of clothing; you must let me go
to your residence and bring wraSs."
I had reflected that l might just as
we'll admit that we were alone, for my
visitors We're perfectly aware of the
fact before they entered the house.
She sat down again.
"How unfortunate! I do so dislike
to trouble you, but there seems to be
no other way. shall be under thou
sand obi cations; you will find my
brother at home; please have him come
after me-"
She was certainly q most artistic
liar. My eyes carelessly swept the al
cove curtains; I could no longer see
the revolver, and felt sure that the
man in the case, confident that the wo-
| fol
me, had dropped out of the window
and gone, which afterwards proved to
be true. 1 did not want to lose both
burglars, but dared make no hostile
movements, not being certain that my
diagnosis of the situation in the al
cove was correct. l fingered, however,
for if the alarm was working help was
nearly due.
"How can you go out in such q
storm?" 1 said. "You and your broth
err would better remain my guests
till morning; it won't be many hours
ooh I don't mind rain if I have a
mackintosh; it is lucky" glancing
down at her robe, which was little
damp around the bottom, ''that it
was not raining when I left home. >
Again thought it unwise to call at
tention to the fact that when l left
the library at eleven it was raining
pitchforks. Unable to find excuse for
further delay, 1 passed out, turning
as l opened the door, to find that she
had again risen to her feet and was
watching me.
'You are not afraid to be left
alone?" / asked.
"Afraid!" And the brown eyes shot
me glance that made me vince;
then, recollecting herself, THAT isl
won't be afraid if you will hurry
The front door was unlocked. jim
had evidently climbed in at the win
dow and let his wife in at the door.
Two policemen were coming up the
| stems and two more stood under the