Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-09-27

CHAPTER XVII.

| xs&sS< 81 l runaway. Mr. God
&&& Mi dard was not less pro
p7ESSSJ fuse In his congratu-
lations and praise of
me than the one had saved from al
most certain death II panied me to
see that his affection for her was gen.
uine and yet not strong enough 90 IN
duce him TO give up his double life I
believe that II anything serious had
happened to her he would have mourned
for her es much as ever man did for
woman Nevertheless be continued 10
practice secretly a profession that
would cause pain worse than death II
she discovered il.
Realizing that matters were reoching
climax, determined TO make hold
| stroke and try TO induce my master IN
turn away from his evil ways. I had
firm faith In him outside OF his one
weakness II he was once confronted
with his crimes and warned that an
exposure would ruin him for life he
might relent There was q possibility
OF saving him from himself and from
the Doctors influence had the pow
er within me to do It. could face
him and DR.. Squires with their crimes
and threaten them with exposure IL
the latter did not Immediately leave
the place and the former promise to
| reform.
It might prove risky experiment
TO permit such a man to marry a
sweet pure woman like Miss Stetson.
but there wRs the possibility OF a mu-
tually happy union, while there would
be nothing but misery and unhappi-
ness for both II my master was arrest
ed and punished for his crimes Choos-
Ing what considered the lesser OF
two evils, decided to make the ex-
pertinent
B A sense q honor sun kept me from
approaching my master and telling
him all that knew. had given him
my word that would never mention
meeting him IN any other guise than
that OF gentleman, or, IN other words.
four accidental meeting as common bur
glars was to be blotted from my mind
unless we were thrown together again
under similar circumstances
now determined to create those
circumstances to suit my own purpose
Several days after this when learn
l ed that he had an engagement at DR..
SQuireS' In the evening made prep:
Rrations to follow him again This
1 time was posted 80 that would not
igive him the opportunity % escape
from me IN the darkness.
II 1t was a fltful moonlight night The
moon came up about IL O'Clock, but
the clouds In the heavens partly shut
It from view. II cast wavering, van
fishing shadows upon the calm earth
(which were exceedingly Rggravating.
iThey were 30 deceptive In appearance
that l felt my task would be doubiy
uifficuit
1 My master left the house at the
usual time and proceeded to walk lei
surely toward the doctor'S followed
him az some distance, not making any
special effort 20 keep him IN view.
knew that he was not anticipating any
shadowinG aud we both made our
Iway TO the old mansion according TO
four own notfons
4 hurried little toward the end OF
the walk TO make sure that he entered
the house I reached vantage point
just in time 90 see the door open aud
Sciose behind him. Then amused my
kseif the best way 1 could for several
thours
Shortly after midnight reused N.Y.
Iself to action. The time was approach
Ing when I must prove my skill. The
lhouse was all dark, and no signs came
Efrom It to indicate the presence Of
Diving Q0ffI Al
1t was a full hour before the door
Eopened. Then By the aid of the moons
white light 1 caught glimpse OF my
master and the doctor. They were
consulting together IN the shadow OF
sthe porch. saw the latter point
kdown the road, but could not under
Estand anything he said
A few moments later my master left
hhim and glided rather than walked
kdown the drive toward the highway.
waited for him, concealed IN some
bushes Near the gate His manner
swas quick, nervous, energetic-so un-
like his natural habits. The profess
sional burglar was aroused In him-a
second SELF which had been carefully
kcultivated and developed.
I We both moved down the highway
Ecautiously, watching, listening and an
Etcipating some unknown danger.
kept within ten yards OF him, but al
tways ready to increase the distance
tbetween us on the slightest sign from
Bhim that he intended to double upon
his tracks I was familiar with his
ktactics this time sufficiently TO enable
Fine TO be prepared for the most I'M
Eexpected movement
Never did a detective shadow crtm-
FINAL with more intentness than 1 did
Amy master that night. He led me a
Echase two miles down the road; then
kwithout apparent reason he struck
kacroSs the fields 10 one OF the side
Eroads which ran parallel with the main
ShighwaY. A mile down this brought
Ehim to a fork In the road formed by
Sthe meeting Of an old, deserted lane.
Into this be turned his silent footsteps.
Five hundred yards down IT small,
Fpurling brook crossed the lane II was