Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-09-20


treasures.
upstairs room? 1 raised one end OF.
the covering and started back In as
constituent could almost have shout
ed in my surprise. Throwing back the
cloth In eager haste, l soon disclosed
to view collection of treasures that
made my hand tremble. No robbers
cave ever revealed richer store OF
wealth than that which lay spread out
before me.
There was the silver and gold plate.
OF dozen different families. The lew
els and diamonds that had come down
as heirlooms from several generations
small statuettes, gold framed pictures
and photographs, solid silver knives.
forks. spoons and plates. watches.
rings and bric-a-orac OF more or less
value were piled in heaps and clusters
Dn the floor and tables In short. there
was everything that robber could
collect from house and carry away
in a bundle
Gazing at this strange accumulation
OF miscellaneous goods, l felt that 1
was standing in a dangerous place. for
the collector OF them would not hest
tate an instant to kill me if he once dis
covered my presence. Here were the iu
gotten gains of both my master and the
doctor, and either one would be pro-
voked aud frightened enough to take
my life If he once saw me In the
storeroom. Nevertheless I was so fas-
cinated by the glittering heaps of gold
and silver and precious jewels that
could not refrain from examining and
handling each one individually. L must
have run considerable risk in so doing
Tor some of the pieces rolled out OF the
heap and fell upon the floor But the
fever OF excitement which possessed
me could not be controlled. In all my
experiences l had never beheld such q
sight. 1t seemed like a glimpse of a
burglars paradise
/ believe for short time I was be-
wildered and half crazy. know that
seated myself on the floor and took up
one article after another, holding it up
to my lantern to be sure Of its genuine
ness and then pressing it closely
against my face.
Then 1 filed my pockets with them
and tried to estimate the wealth that
could carry away, although had no
intention Of removing single article
from the house My plan was to re-
trace my steps so that the doctor would
not know that his storehouse had been
visited by a stranger. had another
way to corner him or at least to bring
him into my power by holding his seq.
cret over his head y
When / was finally satisfied In gloat-9
Ing over the stolen goods, / began to-
think Of returning. / put the artieIesst
back In their places Just as had founcs8
them and drew the cover over them sol
AS not to excite any suspicion Then HI
left the room after one longing Jooksy
behind, locked the door and retreatedH
Up the ladder to the cupola. could not
faEten the staple In as securely as be-.L
fore. but by means ef q long piecG or
wire l succeeded In attaching It loosely.
Into the door 50 that nobody would no.
tcs It unless he happened to visit tbs
cupola. This judged rarely occurred.
and l thought I was safe In leaving
matters as they were. / climbed down
the piazza post and ence more found
myself On the green lawn without haV-
Ing aroused any OF the Inmates OF the
house.
} Ny nights adventure had been sue
cessful, and 1 retired to my bed feeling
that possessed q secret which made
me the equal of either my master or
the doctor in power. At any time &
might use this knowledge to ruin them
or TO force them to do my bidding
Altogether I thought I was a pretty
lucky dog