Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-25
telf the best way I could for several

hours
Shortly after midnight I 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 ii TO indicate the presence of a
living soul anywhere around it.
It was a full hour before the door
opened. Then by the aid of the moons
white light l caught a glimpse Of my
master and the doctor They were
consulting together in the shadow of
the porch. I saw the latter point
down the road, but I could not under
stand anything he said.
A few moments later my master left
him and glided rather than walked
down the drive toward the highway.
l waited for him, concealed in some
bushes near the gate. His manner
was quick, nervous, encrgetic-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
ticipatlng 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
expected movement.
Never did a detective shadow Grim
inal with more intentness than I did
my master that night. He led me n
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. 1t was
too broad to jump over, but only a few
feet deep.
My master removed his shoes quick
ly and then plunged into the cool wa.
ter, but instead of crossing he waded
a long distance down stream and then
rcgained the same shore again. I'M
derstood his maneuver. 1t was to
throw bloodhounds off the track and
to confuse any detective who nigh,
try to trace him back to the doctor
house
l 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 a bee line for a
large house not a hundred yards from
the brook. This knew was the scene
of his nights work.
The house was a modern one and
stood on a slight eminence overlooking
the surrounding country. 1t was own
ed by an intimate friend Of the Stctson
and Goddard familics-Mr. Jaimson
by name-and ii occurred to me al be-
ing very peculiar that my master
should attempt to rob it. But what
had looted the Stetson house, the very
home of the Of, whom he loved
Could such bascuess be ever overlook
ed! Could such man be reformed
For a few moments my resolutions
wavered, and | thought of returning
and telling all that | 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. TheI
when everything was quiet l climbed
through the window at the risk of my
own life, for / realized that my form
was silhouetted against the outsid.
light. while my master might be hid
den in the darkness inside.
But gained the interior OF the base
ment without accident. l searche,
around for an open door, and, finding
it, I walked catlke into a larger room
| knew that my masters first point
would be the dining room, and | bold
ly climbed the stairs leading to it from
the basement. Once there l heard the
slight rattle Of silver and caught the
quick. flashing ray of his dark lantern
Then l concealed myself behind some
curtains and waited.
decided that it would be better tC
let him finish his job and then con
front him with his booty in his hands
There would then be no question Of his
intentions.
He passed from the dining room into
the library and then moved silently
upstairs. In spite Of his soft steps
and quiet motions l could occa Sionally
catch sound which indicated to me
where he was. If anybody had beer
awake, his presence would have beer
detected.
kept myself pretty well concealed
| behind some curtain or portiere, for
dreaded lest at any moment he might
| fash the rays of his lantern in my d
rection and detect me. | was thus con
cealed from view in small alcovt
opening upon the upper hall when
was startled by a peculiar noise.
AS a professional burglar myself
knew the alarming nature of thai
sound. 1t was the distinct click Of 8
revolver. l peered through the cur
tains to determine what it meant. AS
did so there was another click, this
time lower and less distinct. This was
caused by the pressing OF an electric