The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-02-06

my box, which was an exact duplicate
of the genuine article on the opposite
side of the street.
NOW for the notice of temporary
disuse," l said with laugh, and in an
instant afterward the mouth of the
genuine pillar box was closed with
gummed paper and the following no
tice posted in front of the time table of
postal deliveries:
Notice.-This pillar box being in temporary
disuse, the public will oblige by posting COM
munications at the temporary box across the
road By order
This work completed to our satisfac-
ton. my pal and l climbed back into
our van and drove noiselessly down a
side street, from which we could watch
all that happened outside Of Count
Rodeholtz's mansion.
confess that, hardened and expert
enced as was, a terrible thrill of nery-
BUSINESS went through me as l stood
in that van with my companion wait
ing. The return of the policemen from
the station before the conclusion Of the
business would ruin all; nay, If a
chance youth on the way home from q
dance were attracted by the notice on
the box and fingered to look at it, we
might be equally oyerthrown.
1t was therefore with feeling of re-
lief that amounted to positive joy that
l beheld at about 3:15 the door of the
house open and young man, evidently
the ambassadors secretary, glide into
the street. He held in his hand the let
ter, and l saw him run up to the genu-
inc box and peer at it for moment In
surprise.
Then, with some expression which
Of course we could not catch at that
distance, he crossed the road and, hav-
ing deposited the letter in our box, re-
turned with all speed to the house.
Not soul was in sight-the street
was silent as the grave. We quickly
tore down the notice which had done
us such good service and removed the
paper from the mouth Of the box.
Three minutes later we were driving
away quickly in the direction Of my
house. We arrived at a. m. and found
Herr Moskovitz awaiting US In intense
excitement.
"Well," he cried, gesticulating with
both hands, "well. have you succeed
edY
Perfectly" replied. Here is the
box and here is the key. We have not
touched or looked at the letter, believ-
ing it to be private"
"You have acted WELL" he returned
quickly. "And now to obtain the let
ter"
With hands that trembled so violent
ly that he could scarce insert and turn
the key the excited man knelt down
and drew forth the envelope. AS he
looked at the superscription cry of
disgust escaped his lips, and he tore
it open. One glance at the letter
seemed to suffice, and it transformed
him utterly. He strobe across the
room and shook his great fist in my
face
"Fooll Simpleton! Imbecile% he
yelled, each word having the malignity
of blow. "You have failed after all
and made fool of yourself and me-"
He flung the letter at me and darted
from the house, uttering curses as he
rolled down the stairs.
took up the letter and read these
words:
Dere Mary Anne-Master sittin up late tonight,
as per usual, with his blessed letter ritin and
SIGH like. ave few minits to rite to say as
low ] 'opes this finds you as it leaves me, in
'ealth an spirits tho dog tired, and please to
meet me at the Marble arch at sharp next Sun
day, from your luvvin GEORGE.
| saw through the whole business at
once. The man was merely valet or
butler, and the letter was servants
communication to his sweetheart in
stead of an ambassadors letter to his
government. We had come away too
soon.-Pittsburg Press.