The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25


Your loving cousin,
EMMA POUNDERBY-
"P. 81 have not told John about
this. as he has an idea that all girls
read in bed. and would fret himself
thin, fearing fire."
'Now." said the girl, as Ker finished
reading, you see why L am here l
am Connie Prest. 1 teach at the art
school, where 1 have rooms. You may
be quite sure I should not have come
if | had known you We're here"
Il am sorry 1 disturbed you," said
KeIl. Perhaps / had better leave to-
morrow"
I'VE will speak of that later" she
said, moving toward the door. Il have
go to bed again how
For fully ten minutes Ken remained
motionless where she had left him. How
beautiful she wasI How brave she had
beenl Perhaps he had been dreaming.
No, there was her revolver on the table.
He picked it up. 1t was not loaded He
laughed softly, undressed, put out his
lamp, and in a few minutes was fast
asleep.
Presently he was awakened by light
tapping at his door. He rose, slipped
on coat and trousers, and opened 1t.
There is a man with ladder at
your window" whispered Connie, tand
the side door is being forced" Kell
drew her in, and listened, still holding
her hand. 1T could not Sleep" she
added. and 1 heard voices outside.
They must be robbers"
Same gang coming again, I guess"
muttered Kell under his breath. Then
to Connie: Get back to your room,
and don't move until L give the word"
and Connie disappeared. Locking the
door, and taking his pistol, he stretched
himself upon the floor, under the win
dow. intending to haul in the first in
truder by the leg. The window, already
partly open, was gently raised, and a
hand and arm showed for moment in
the reflected light of a lantern from be-
low.
Good morning, constable" said Kell,
feeling very disappointed that he was
to have no opportunity of fighting for
the sake of his fair companion. A blow
in the chest from a heavy heel was all
the answer he received. A shril whis-
tie piped an alarm, the door was burst
open, two lanterns shed a dazzling light
upon him, and he was dragged roughly
to his feet as his revolver was wrenched
Now, then. you; where are your
pals?''
MY name is KelI, of the Port Eliz-
abeth police. have been put in charge
here by Mr.. Pounderby," burst out
Kell.
That's good, very good, my man."
THAT is my luggage" said Kell. "r
can give you fairly accurate list of
every article in the locked portmanteau.
Will that satisfy your
"a stranger might do it if he had been
long enough in possession
Wen, will this do? Leave one of
morning then wire to Mr.. Pounderby
and bring Miss Prest, of the Art school,
to Identify me-
After some consideration the 1nan
agreed, for he had been impressed by
his prisoners manner.
The house is surrounded, suppose,
asked Kell.
YES
Then let me run upstairs for a mo-
ment. I cannot escape, and I will not
leave the room again till morning.
Cant do that, you know"
'Then will you leave a note in the
letter box of Miss Ffest's rooms as you
go home now?"
Yes, I Will"
Ken wrote a note in pencil making
the request that Miss Prest would
kindly call at the address given as
early as possible in the morning, and
gave it. open, to the constable, who left
the way he had come. kell made no
further attempt to- sleep, but chatted
! easily and freely with his guard until
the dawn.
AS soon as it was fairly light KeH
was listening intently for the slightest
| sound of any one moving above. I'M
mediately he heard fCotstep he went
to the window and opened it, as if to
let in the morning air. The policeman
rose and stood behind him. Suddenly
he leaned out and called in the direc-
ton of the side door, as if he had seen
| some one pass.
Miss Priest. Miss Prest. Come to
| my room here as soon as you can"
:'She is early" he said to his COM
panion. Gone to the wrong ROOM ne
said, minute later she is overhead,
think
'Wot's your little gamer" said the
policeman. Il don't think young ladies
! get up SO early, and haven't heard any
noise but wot you've made.
| He was still speaking when there came
! a knock at the door.
May come imp
| The consta BILE turned the key, and
| Connie entered.
Good morning, Miss Prest," began
| Kell, talking very rapidly You are
| good to come so early. 1 did not intend
| my note to bring you to the rescue
| ing a bad character. and held in bond
! age until my identity is proved beyond
| doubt Mr. Pounderby is to be commu-
| nicated with by wire to verify my au-
thiroty, and then I shall be free
Il am very glad to be of any service
| to you Mr.. Kell. Constable, you have
! made q mistake said Connie, blushing
/ prettily.
"Then, miss, we had best go and meet
| the inspector. I'm sorry, sir, but
| duty"
KeII laughed good-naturedly, and they
all left the house together. Kel man
aged to get the side door open before
| the constable reached it, so that there
was no question as to how Connie had
entered the house. He and Connie sepa-
rated at the police station, but not for
| long.
A few days later Mrs. Pounderby re-
| ceived the following letter:
art School, Streatha
my Dearest Meta-You should have