The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1900-09-06

lishment. The other inmates of the
house were all wrapped in slumber
while George Hammond sat broo.:ng
On the table before him lay leather
letter-case. The question he was de
batting was whether or not the papers
should be destroyed.
II had struck l o'clock when he was
reused from his reverie by loud
knocking at the front door. He started
up, and was about to thrust the letter.
case into his pocket. but, changing his
mind. placed II again on the table be-
fore he hurried downstairs.
Hammond was anxious that the
household should not be reused. II
would not mend matters TO have his
wife coming down inquirlng what was
amiss. So he unlocked the door, and
drew back the bolts cautiously; then,
| leaving the chain still up, opened the
door a few inches, demanding who was
/ there.
The unmlstakable CLEAN Of a bulls
eve came Into the dark hall, as voice
answered:
"A constable. Are you the owner OF
/ the house?'
Hammond replied that he was. and
asked what the policeman wanted.
Il have reason to believe that an at.
tempt " being made TO enter your
premises" he said. "A man has been
watching al the back for the last hour.
Have you much plate?"
We have some plate, certainly, but
don't think any one could get at it.
My people are all asleep, so hope there
will be no disturbance"
Let me In, and | will look at the
fastenings," the constable returned.
The chain was undone, and, saying
he was glad the women folk were
abed, MS they always took alarm at the
sight OF policeman, he told Hammond
only TO close the door, as he should be
OFF again directly. Then, throwing the
light Of his lantern before him, kitchen,
scullery. pantry, all were visited,
places into which Hammond had never
before made his way. The policeman's
keen eye scanned each lock and win
dow, but all were securely fastened.
As they emerged once more into the
hall, the policeman asked:
(Which Is the room at the back of
the house, where the lights are burn
ingfn
My private sitting ROOM" Hammond
said impatiently. 1T is impossible any
one could reach II from the outside. 1t
must be thirty or forty feet from the
ground"
Few things are impossible to de-
termined mind" the constable answer
ed, as he made his way noiselessly up
stairs, Hammond following.
The policeman entered the brightly
lighted room. and gave a quick glance
round. Then he turned out the gas,
leaving The room In darkness, save for
the occasional CLEAN of his bull's-eye,
He asked Hammond to draw up the
blind and open the window. Then the
two men peered into the garden be-
meath.
As you say. 1t Is impossible for any
one TO get In this way" the constable
said; ''and having ascertained that, |
must be of
He quilted the room, leaving Ham
mond alone In the dark.
He VS. still fumbling for the matches,
when the front door closed with a
bang.
Godfrey Hurst woke from a dream.
less sleep TO the remembrance of a ca.
lamity that had befallen him. He lay
on the sofa In his friends room, and In
nm armchair. wrapped IN a cloak, Ste
phen sat smoking. 1t was some sec
onds before Godfrey became aware OF
the others presence; then he started
up. crying out eagerly for news. For
answer, stephen pointed to the table,
and there, In the lamplight, Geoffrey
saw the precious letter case that had
caused him SO many hours of anguish
For a moment he could not speak; then
he caught his friends hand In his, as
he whispered:
Heaven bless you, stephen! You
have saved me from dishonorp
"See that the letters are intact" was
all Stephen said; but there was an I'M
usual brightness In his eyes. which
showed that he, too, was deeply moved.
Godfrey examined the contents of
the case, and found nothing missing
the papers were not even soiled.
How on earth did you manage 1t.
Stephen Godfrey asked eagerly.
Stephens eyes twinkled.
"Ah, dear boy" he said, with a sigh
of satisfaction, II went In character
and. opening bag that lay at his feet,
he drew forth pollceman's helmet and
lantern. Then, finglng aside his cloak,
he showed the dark-blue coat and
bright buttons Of the orthodox consta-
BILE.
stephen laughed.
1T was sudden idea that came to
me-" he said; and told exactly what had
taken place.
Geoffrey was enthusiastic.
In conclusion, Stephen said:
Il must tell you the one comic cpl
sode In the little drama. When l left
the house, | was convinced Hammond
would follow me, so l concealed my
self among the shrubs of neighbor'
ing garden. He soon came tearing into
the street, as expected, but was moi
prepared for the sequel. The police
man on the beat-whom l had watched
to a safe distance before beginning my
| onarations had inst turned the corner
of the square. Hammond made fol