The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-05

summer evening, In his dress suit and
opera hat. and wearing an Inverness
cape, there was something quite distin-
guished i'm his appearance. To be sure,
a close examination, with the help OF
good light. would have revealed the
fact that his cuffs were frayed and his
shirtfront decidedly dingy. The opera
hat, too, gave one the idea that IL had
at some period been sat upon, and the
Inverness cape was of the cheap water
proof kind.
But the kindly shadows of night per-
init no critical investigation, and any
body seeing him stride briskly along,
with his head we'll i'm the air, and taxi
ing note OF the highly respectable-look-
ing Gladstone bag in his hand, would
have put him down as, at least, a sing
er or actor returning from an engage
ment.
He turned OFF into Goldcourt Gardens,
walked up 70 No. II without any hesi-
tation, and placed his bag on the
ground while-as the newspapers say
he effected an entrance.
It was about half-past 10 in the eve
ming, and. as he had studied the house
and IT'S inmates carefully. he was able
10 fix the best time 20 make his call 70
a nicely.
Having opened the front door he
stepped across the hall, and entered
a room on the right
1T was lighted. At writing table
sat silver haired old gentleman, with
his back to the door
This WAS surprise 10 the burglar.
The owner of the house was Mi.
Strangely, the editor of one OF the big
dallies IL was his habit te leave Gold
court Gardens early I'm the evening TO
edit the following days issue, and not
return until o'clock in the morning.
He was widower without family. ana
during his absence, IL stands To reason
that his servants amused themselves
just as they thought fit.
1t WGs for these reasons that the bur-
glar had fixed on Mr.. Strangely's resi-
dence as the scene of his operations.
AS he told his best pal. ''it was one of
the snugEest cribs ne had seen. Moth
ing to do but walk in and help your
self" Moreover. there was an extra
spice of pleasure I'm the affair, in conse-
quence OF Mr.. Strangelys paper having
. published a series OF bitter articles on
the subject of London burelaries, rec
ommending the cat as punishment.
1t would be amusing To read Mr..
Strangelys remarks when he found
that his own house had been entered.
But IL happened on that particular
evening that Mr.. Strangely, being un-
well, had decided To stop at home. lie
had telephone communication with the
office. and could do his work almost as
we'll as If he were on the spot
The old gentleman was hard at work
on "leader' when the burglar opened
the door, and he didn't appear to real
ize the situation at all. for, glancinG
l. =. I'D inn afnfI a.
man i'm evening dress, he merely said:
Take "a seat, please: ] shall be olsen
gagged i'm a few minutes" and continued
his work.
The burglar was startled at such q
queer reception, and, with smile OF
ironical amusement he took seat, and
amused himself by gazing about the
room and "spotting'' the articles
worthy OF his attention, with severa!
longing glanCes at the large safe.
The telephone bell rang. Mr.. Strang-
ley listened TO some message in silence,
and then said: Tell Mr.. Smith To in
scrt- the paragraph without comment
Send Mr.. Long with his notebook TO
take down my leader" He rang of
and said. absently, To his visitor, Il m
sorry To keep you waiting.
Don't mention it," said the burglar
politely. He was enjoying the little joke
Immensely, and was preparing in his
mind the best way to tell the yarn 10
his friends.
Again the telephone bell was rung
and Mr.. Strangely proceeded TO die
tate his leader in a slow, mechanical
voice. to somebody at the other end.
IL was slashing article on foreign
affairs. and, In spite of himself tho
burglar was interested. The only thing
that annoyed him was the Latin. Mr.
Strangely had a weakness for classical
quotation. and IL seemed as If on this
occasion his innocent vanity had car
Iied him away. for there was nearly as
much Latin in the article as English.
The leader" being finished Mr..
Strangely replaced his pen, arranged
his papers methodically. and swung
around on the revolving chalr 10 attend
To his visitor.
He was "A fragile. puny. little old man,
with head obviously too large for his
body \ doctor would have described
him as possessing too much brain and
not enough muscle.
When he faced the burglar there was
q courteous smile of welcome ON his
face which gradually changed To Il
look OF dismay as his keen old eyes fell
on the dirty shirt-front and the Glad
stone bag.
There was an impressive silence, and
then the grinning burglar said:
'Ow are NOu?'
looked as If ne were petried with hor-
ror.
Yes; you're quite right said the
burglar. with genial humor. I've come
TO collect funds for the deserving poor
which is myself
Mr.. strangely made a slight move
ment Instantly the grin vanished
from his VISITORS face, and ~ said,
drily:
Don't kick up a dust governor. I
don't want To- hurt YOU. I thought we'd
Just talk IL over Cumfurtabic.'
~ suppose | have uo choice I'm tho
matter" said Mr. Strangely. warmly.
You arc a young mani am an oil
ono, ana I must submit to your VIE
Iainy."
quite so. but there ! knew YOU'D
understand me. said the burglar. rcas-
suminE his genial manner. AS | say,
its a. pleasure To meet man Ike yous
Some people can't get an idea into their
heads unless YOU knock IL In with an
'ammer I}y the way. have you got
anything 90 drink
with n philosophical shrug Of hi,
shoulders. MIR. Strangely unlocked hic