The Washington weekly post., 1899-11-14

nave something 10 hit man with, and
am got one. ! Amt big enough to be yio-
lent"
You'll do" said Bob.
Iney had few more drinks, then made
their way northward. Toward midnight
they were trudging the Finchley lanes A
policeman caused them much trouble by
following Them. They had IN waste an
Sour In shaking him of. before they soiid
proceed to their goal. At last. however,
they were quit Of him. and under the
windows OF the house. Everything was
dark and s;Il.
IN just prowl round and take a OBJ
seryation," said Jimmy.
an right Be quick" said Bob.
he stood shlvering in the black shadow
while Jimmy stole s;ealthily from door to
door. window 10 window
Wed better try the kitchen way.
think. said Jimmy. when he returned.
at seems easiest. HaFk."
II didn't hear nothink. What did you
think II WASP"
II dunno. Fancy, expect"
They crept softly among the flower beds.
This is the window said Jimmy. at
last.
II was barred without and shuttered
within.
Soft as silk" said Bob, becoming inter-
ested. IN have 10 use the spreader."
He felt in his capacious pockets and
drcw out the implement he required. He
fastened II TO the bars and began TO force
them apart. They bent like wire under
his strength. the rust falling in brown
fakes upon his hands.
That's wide enough. Bob" said Jimmy
II can easily get through that Now the
window"
With a thin, strong knife. Bob pushed
back the hasp, and began. very cautious
ly, TO open the window.
How about the shutters?" whispered
Jimmy.
Jest bar-fastening, I suppose? 'Taint
likely to be anything more"
''Thunder" cried Jimmy. Now I come
to think Of 1t it's a new bar with spring
catch"
"Sure?"
Sure as death"
"Irn take us half an hour TO unscrew
it. We'd better Try door,
Jimmy was consumed with self-re-
prosch.
"In put a lemon in my mouth and sell
my head 10 a pork-butcher, said ne.
Bob attacked the door. The Key had
been left in the inside. Jimmy poked an
oiled feather into the lock. Then Bob
produced a pair of fine nippers which he
inserted in the keyhOe. The key was
gripped; he twisted it. and the door was
practically open. Only two bolts and a
chain remained to bar them out.
Wen have TO push the key out" said
Bob. is the old gent a light sleeper?"
1T won't make no row, there's mat"
said Jimmy.
out it goes, then" said Bob.
But the mat had evidently been re-
moved, for the key fell with loud jangle
on the stone floor Of the passage.
Crumbs cried Jimmy. That's done
| itI'
! They waited and listened. The wind
| went soughing by. and an owl screamed
a moment later a window opened above
/ them and white head peeped out.
/ who's there?" asked a fierce voice.
| NOW, why don't you go back to bed?''
! whisr cred Jimmy.
'W hos there?" asked the fierce voice.
They crouched low under the bushes.
Made sure heard something" NUT
J tered the white head. Sounded like a
| knock. Rats. perhaps"
In a minute or two the window was
| smut GOWN again
wen have to give the cid boy chance
to drop off," remarked Jimmy. THAT is.
If he's going to be sensible and not come
prowling downstairs Harkr'
NO. he's gone back TO bed. I think -
said Bob. "We'n wait quarter of an
hour; then we'l try our luck again"
The minutes passed, intolerably long.
and without any further alarms, and at
] last Rnh on. RI Il
back the bolts and unlocked the chain.
| The work had TO be done noiselessly.
| therefore slowly Jimmy handed the tools
as they were required, and Bob patiently
manipulated them Both sighed, relieved
when the door swung open, and they
| were free to enter the house.
| Jimmy carried the lantern. He slippc d
bac,. the dark slide and allowed the light
to play uron the floor and walls There
was no sound save the occasional creak-
/ ing of loose board, but the still gloom
| breathed terror, and the faces of the two
! men dimly discernible to one another
| through the darkness, were strained and
| white
! The room doors were unlocked. First.
they entered the parlor, but very brief
| investigation of the furniture satisfied
/ them that nothing Of value was 10 be
! found there. They passed through folding
| doors into a second apartment furnished
! as study. fire still smOdered in the
| CRATE; in the air was an odor OF tobacco
| smoke; on the table were bottles and
/ glasses. They drank some whisky and
| proceeded to open, one by one, the draw
/ ers Of the writing-table. But nothing
worth taking did they find. They examin-
/ ed two bronze vases on the mantelpiece
! and in one was a small sum in silver
| which they appropriated. They put Tito
! their bag a meerchaum pipe and a silver
| cigarette case.
Not much of cop as yet" whispered
| Bob.
He keeps his money in his bedroom
| the old swine" Jimmy answered. Look
| here, we mustn't hang it out 100 iong II
| 90 upstairs. I'm softer on the pads thar
| you"
None O. your bogey. y know" said
| Bob.
Would / kid you now?" Jim cried in.
! dignantly. you tour round the back g
| bit"
I'll wait in the kitchen"
"AIl gay"
They stole out Of the study together
! and parted in the hall at the foot OF The
{ stairs. Bob went into the kitchen, and
/ Jimmy crept up 10 the bedrooms, thrilling
\ with the consciousness Of daring. His
movements were soft. sure, and agile "a:
/ a cats. Even his breathing seemd sus.
| pended. He krelt down on the first land
/ ing with his ear 10 a keyhole. and listen
| ed. a pleasant sound OF snoring came "a
| him, and he INDUCED in the cheap lux.
ury Of noiseless chuckle Ills fingers
closed slightly on the handle and turned
4 IL. There was no interruption Of the
| sounds within. He pushed softly against
| the door. Ii did no. open; il was locked.
Il must use the twirls," said Jimmy.
| He set down the laHtern on table ant
pulled out a bunch OF skeleton KEYS. IN d
| few seconds he found one which fitted
/ and. very carefully, he opened the door
! 4 dim light filtered out. Jimmy lay doWI
| fat upon his stomach and peeped into th'
| room. A candle fiekered on the wash
| stand. He looked toward the bed and
| saw the face OF the sleeping man IL wa'
an old. tired face. scanned and gray, wear
| ing even IN sleep an expression Of unrest