Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
THEKING'SRUBIES
A STORY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
By Adelaide Fuller Bell
Copyright by Henry T. Coates 4 Coz
CHAPTER VII.
Burglars.

| Copyright by Henry T. Coates & co.,
CHAPTER VII.
Burglars.
The old clock on the shelf struck eleven
Cover sprang to his feet.
Eleven o'clock! he exclaimed. greatly
surprised II never thought Of the time.
I must get home as fast as I can. If Mr..
Glover knew 1 was out as late as this he'd
be after me, can tell you. Come on, Phil :"
Phil picked up his cap and hurried after
his friend. Nose followed them to the door.
You two'd bettah move long bout as
fas' as yo' kin. It's mos awful bad luck
for three men In the same room to heah the
clock strike 'leven. Sho sign a strange
beast wild five legs is ercomin' outen de
woods to ketch yo. So git er-long, my
honeys, an don look back. onct.'
II wish you'd go with U.S. said Cover.
Its awfully dark. Do Gomez
Me go out wild my rheumatic dis yer
damp? No. sir!'' The door closed with a
bang and the boys were left to their own
resources
THE old fraud! believe he's afraid him.
SELF 'Rheumatz' is his excuse for every
thing. You come and go home with me,
Phil. You're older than l am, and larger,
and can take care of yourself better. Be-
SIuSS, you re HOT AFRAID.
To this no answer was made nor any
movement toward a start.
why don't you come-are you really
scared after those stories of Moses-reaily
afraid?'
His companion hesitated. THAT piece of
woods between here and home Is lone
some place. / wish we had started sooner.
Eleven o'clock! OF course there are no five
footed beasts-but ghosts-if what Nose
tells is true there must be ghosts"
That's So l tell you What-you come
home and stay all night with me. I know
shall never close my eyes if have to sleep
In without bit of noise, and have no end
of fun"
''There can't be any harm in it." said
Phil. after a moments consideration. Mr..
TWINS folks will all be in bed. and be-
"Hurrah" said Cover. but he said it un-
der his breath.
Suppose We rum" suggested his friend.
No sooner said than done, and they COW
cred the distance between the cabin and
the mansion in less than ten minutes
well go in this door," said Cover, when
they reached the kitchen. Lets walk
around the house first and see who Is still
up. There. knew it! Mark Glover's light
is burning. I don't believe he goes to bed
oftener than every other night! Papa is in
the library. too, suppose, for see light
by going through the kitchen We can
keep our shoes on If we go in that way"
Il feel just like a burglar, slipping in like
this said Phil jokingly.
Ha! that's a fine ideav' exclaimed the
other, forgetting all about ghosts. We'll
play were pals going to rob this housev'
Easy, pard. easyf whispered Phil, i'm
mediately falling in with Covers sugges-
tlon as the latter endeayored to open the
Kitchen door; but he found 1t locked
"Ah! they're looking for thieves 1t
seems" said he. in the most villainous
whisper he could command. What a pity
NV iiYrny1 ba lNyo
must pry a window openv'
Let us lose no time then. Who knows
but that they may loose the blood hounds
on us, and l brought no weapons but nv
trusty pocket-knife and two guns
We'll be so quiet that there'll be no need
Of guns or knives. The dogs will never
hear us. But we can't get in this way, for
the window won't Open 1 must steal
around to the front door and see what our
chances are there. Perhaps the lazy serv-
ants cared only for their own safety and
didn't lock the front door,
and what shall do?'
Lay low until l come back or IL get in
at the front door, I'll come into the kitchen
hall and tap on the window twice. then
twice again. and If you hear me you must
give the same taps that / do on the same
window. when will unlock it and you can
crawl in. While I am gone. take off your
Shoes Cover added, in a deep. burglarious
tone.
He again went around to the front of the
house where he saw the same lights burn
ing as before. Mounting the steps to the
front door he removed his shoes He was
not surprised to find it unfastened, for 1t
was understood that until Mr. Montioy re-
tired. the hall door should not be locked.
Cover turned the knob very quietly and
stole in past the sleeping Cobb.
He almost ran down the long hall, his
heart humping loudly. He had to choose
his steps when he turned into the narrow
passage. known as the kitchen hall and
aIter what seemed long time to him
and to Phil also-gave the signal on the
window. After the answering taps Cover
unlocked it and Phil climbed in
why didn't you open the door?' the lat
ter inquired when safely within. Its a lot
OF trouble to climb in such a high window,
and I skinned my toe on that rose bush.
l do believe it's bleeding!'
Burglars always come into a house by
the window. was the firm answer And
II your toe is bleeding, you must just bear
1t, Cover continued, with Spartan cour-
age-as the toe was not his-"for wounds
are to be expected In this business
Much you known said the other Grossly
And how am to stop the bleeding? Just
tell me that, while you talking L can't
track the blood over the house"
Sh! don't talk out loud, Cobb will be
down on US. No. of course you can't. But
your handkerchief around your toe?
Haven't one? Here's mine. Tie it up. and
don't be so noisy
I'm ready" eaid Phil. minute later,
ms ms aioof az paying burglar was cooling.
Not so with Cover.
Follow me-" said he. "Or I'd better take
your hand, SO long as you don't know the
house."
Together they crept up stairs and
through what seemed to Phil a very laby-
rinth of halls and passages He wondered
that his guide could find the way Cover
was in high glee and Phil again caught the
spirit of the fun.
Not word-on your iife," whispered he,
stopping before a door which he opened
Drawing Phil into the room after him. he
closed 1t noiselessly.
In the pale moonlight which was now
shining. Phil could see that it was a bed
room. and that some one was in the bed.
apparently asleep.
This isn't your he began.
mot word!' whispered Cover, moving
toward an open door that led into an adj
joining room. in which was fireplace with
fire still burning on the hearth When
he had drawn him into this room he closed