The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-03-12

NPOn NJ thdt lHstSau OF humorous
mock burglar the unfortunate Ja.k
might have to deal with a gang of
hardened criminals, and the probable
result of such an encounter would so
upset arrangements that Mary would
in future thank her to leave her af-
fairs alone. So the little joke had de-
veloped into huge tragedy, and Jack
must not be sacrificed. Even in the
hour of danger she could not repress
a smile as she thought how the papers
would make such sensation of the
affair No; Beatrice decIued that it
should not be- And so Jack slept on.
unconscious of the opportunities for
distinction that awaited him down
stairs.
In the meantime, the enterprisinp
young lady with the smudgy face and
ragged clothes had seizeu an old duel
ing pistol and intrenched herself in
the rear OF the sofa. from which she
could obtain an uninterrupted view of
the proceedings within the room.
There she propped herself up, with
one arm extending over the back of
the sofa, pointing an un,oaded pistol
in menacing manner. and there she
meant to fight ard die. as she had
heard her uncle tell of brave men in
the trenches. for it was a desperate
matter now, and it was scarcely real
liable that such terrible plight could
ever have originated in harmless lit
tie joke.
A man crept stealthily into the
room through the half-open window
and cast the light of his lantern in all
directions. Then, upon a sign that all
was right. another lonc-legged villain
followed, and the two conferred in
muffied tones. Then they carefully
shut the window, closed the shutters.
lit the gas and pounced upon the safe.
That was Beats opportunity.
Hands upl"
If an electric wire had been connect
ed with the automatic figures. and
button. had been pressed. the upper
limbs could moi have responded more
promptly than did the hands of those
two desperate burglars. Scared and
baffied as they were. they staggered
round on their heels. 10 discover the
source of that sudden command. and
encountered the frowning muzzle of a
pistol. IT was enough. The younger
man groaned and the older one said
something beneath his breath.
Five minutes passed. and not word
was spoken. Two pairs of hands still
moved aloft and two pairs of cowed
eyes fearfully watched the muzzle of
the pistol. But it never moved. The
aim was deadlyl
Urry up. guv'nor," at last groaned
the younger man. Ring for the serv-
ants. or what yer like. only don't let
us get cold in our armpitsl"
In support of which the older man
again swore. but the victorious one
said nothing. Only the pistol contin-
ued to frown threateningly.
Two more minutes that seemed like
hours to the captured men passed By.
and the older burglar commenced to
swear more loudly. The younger man
also began to Indignantly assert his
rights TO humane treatment. aud mat
tiers were just becoming strained when
the door opened. and poker. followed
by the white face of Jack Winchfe.d,
appeared upon the scene.
1t was the first time Jack had taken
an active part in a burglary case. and
he was considerably nonplussed TO find
two Manufactured villains straining
their arms TO the ceiling at sight of
a common domestic poker. But he
concluded it must be the usual thing
among such gentry. and his face re-
gained some of its color as he took
the cord from his dressing-gown and
requested one of the men to hold down
his hands to be bound. which he did
with grateful glance. A curtain cord
served for the other. and the two soon
stood side by side, trussed like cock
erels.
Now. then, guv'nor. tel the bloke
behind the sofy to shift that pistol
/ don't like i'll" exclaimed one.
Pistol? What pistol?"
Jack looked round in the direction
indicated, and staggered back as he
encountered the frowning muzzle The
idea suddenly occurred to him that
this was another burglar in hiding. and
that he had been outfianked. as the
colonel would probably have called it.
But as he moved, the pistol held stead
tasty in its place, and at .ast he ma
neuvered round and discovered a slight
form, dressed in ragged mems clothes.
and propped up with cushions and
chairs.
Now, young 'un, put up that gun.
Its all over. Why. look herel Great
Scott! It's Beatricei And she's
faintedl"
''Fainted?" echoed the two trussed
men in chorus. Tainted? tainted?
Ere. guv'nor, let us loose to kick our
selves. and Wen go quiet"
"A smart capture. Jack. and bold
venture on your part, said the colonel
you ought to have been a soldier.
my boy. There's a career waiting for
you in the army!"
Yes" said Jack. but"
A vicious tug at his coat tail stopped
him. and at that moment the colonel
was called away.
IF you mention my disgraceful part
in the affair."" said Beat. "I'u expose