Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-01

usual time and proceeded to walk lei
surely toward the DOCTORS. followed
him at some distance, not making any
special effort to keep him in view. l
knew that he was not anticipating any
shadowing, and we both made our
way to the old mansion according to
our own notions.
hurried n little toward the end of
the walk to make sure that he entered
the house. I reached a vantage point
just in time to see the door open and
close behind him. Then amused my
self the best way could for several
hours.
Shortly after midnight reused my
self to action. The time was approach
ing when I must prove my skill. The
house was all dark, and no signs came
from 1t to indicate the presence Of a
living soul anywhere around 1t.
1t was full hour before the door
opened. Then by the aid Of the moons
white light I caught glimpse of my
master and the doctor. They were
consulting together in the shadow of
the porch. / saw the latter point
down the road, but could not under
stand anything he said.
7 A few moments later my master left
him and glided rather than walked
down the drive toward the highway.
I waited for him, concealed In some
bushes near the gate. His manner
was quick, nervous, energetic-so I'M
like his natural habits. The profess
sional burglar was aroused in him-a
second self which had been carefully
cultivated and developed.
We both moved down the highway
cautiously, watching, listening and an
ticipating some unknown danger.
kept within ten yards Of him, but al
ways ready to increase the distance
between us on the slightest sign from
him that he intended to double upon
his tracks. was familiar with his
tactics this time sufficiently to enable
me to be prepared for the most I'M
c1AYVStSs1F
Never did detective shadow a GRIM
inal with more intentness than did
my master that night. He led me a
chase two miles down the road; then
without apparent reason he struck
across the fields to one Of the side
roads which ran parallel with the main
highway. A mile down this brought
him to fork in the road formed by
the meeting of an old, deserted lane.
Into this he turned his silent footsteps.
Five hundred yards down it a small,
purling brook crossed the lane. It was.
too broad to jump over, but only few
feet deep.
My master removed his shoes quick
ly and then plunged into the cool wa
ter, but instead Of crossing he waded
long distance down stream and then
regained the same shore again. I'M
derstood his maneuver. 1t was to
throw bloodhounds of the track and
to confuse any detective who might
try to trace him back to the Doctors
house.
/ smiled at the trick and waited
quietly for him to replace his shoes.
Then once more he started on his jour
ney. This time he ceased to pursue a
zigzag course, but made bee line for u
large house not hundred yards from
the brook. This 1 knew was the scene
Of his nights work.
The house was modern one and
stood on slight eminence overlooking
the surrounding country. 1t was own
ed by an intimate friend of the Stetson
and Goddard families-Mr. Jaimson
by name-and it occurred to me us be-
ing very peculiar that my master
should attempt to rob 1t. But what
could not be expected Of him after he
had looted the Stetson house, the very
home of the one whom he loved?
Gould such baseness be ever overlook
ed? Could such man be reformed?
For few moments my resolutions
wavered, and thought of returning
and telling all that I knew to Miss Stet-
son and let her decide the fate Of the
two men.
But moment later I found myself
pursuing my game with renewed ami
nation. He had actually entered the
house through one of the basement
windows. waited reasonable length
Of time before following him. Then
when everything was quiet I climbed
through the window ut the risk of my
own life, for l realized that my form
was silhouetted against the outside
Light, while my master might be hid
den in the darkness inside.
But gained the interior Of the base
ment without accident. searched
arounu for an open door, and, finding
1t, walked catlike into larger room
knew that my masters first poin
would be the dining room, and bold
~ climbed the stairs leading to it from
the basement. Once there heard the
slight rattle of silver and caught the
i quick, flashing ray Of his dark lantern
Then / concealed myself behind som,
curtains and waited.
Il decided that 1t would be better t
let him finish his job and then con
front him with his booty in his hands
There would then be no question of hi
intentions.
| He passed from the dining room int
the library and then moved silentl.
upstairs. In spite of his soft step
and quiet motions could OCCASIONAL,
catch a sound which indicated to m
where he was. If anybody had bee
awake, his presence would have bee
detected.
kept myself pretty well conceale
behind some curtain or portiere, for
i dreaded lest at any moment he nigh
dash the rays of his lantern in my d
L Ion and detect me- was thus cor
rect from view in small alcov
cealeo S'sn the upper hall when
opening up.tg peculiar noise