Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-20

was uiapie 10 ma anything that ap.
pealed to my tastes. passed from
one bedroom to another, with about
the same result. could hear the reg.
mar breathing of the occupants of the
house, and distant noise in the rear
told me that one man was good snor.
or. So long as that rhythmic sound
continued l felt that I was safe from
all alarms.
After making detour of the rooms
finally entered small chamber that
was used for storing linen and trunks.
1t occurred to me that possibly the
missing things were packed away in
this room. closed the door gently
behind me and turned on the slide
from my lantern.
AS did Sc was suddenly startled
by the bright ray of some light shoot.
ing out OF the darkness. Instantly
grasped my revolver and directed nv
light toward the spot. The result of
this movement was to produce a queer
combination.
saw that l was looking into the
mouth of a revolver held In the hands
OF a man who was inspecting me by
the AID OF dark lantern similar to
my own. My own revolver was GOV.
erlng the place where his heart should
| be.
The discovery must have been ST.
multaneous, for we both flashed the
light of our lanterns into each others
face and gazed long and silently. Nei-
Their wore mask, and in the uncoy-
cred eyes there was cool, deadly re-
solve written. 1t would have been
foolhardy for either to shoot, for the
life of the other would have been in.
stantly sacrificed. waited full min.
J ute or two for the man to speak.
WELL" l said finally. unwilling to
bear the strain of silence longer, "you
seem to be ahead Of me tonight, and 1
must congratulate you upon the neat
ness Of your work. haven't found a
thing behind you"
The man was not inclined to answer
at first, but continued in a reassuring
voice:
ave may as well call truce, It
would be folly for either of us to shoot.
1 don't want to get you in trouble any
more than myself"
had been struck by the fine, hand.
some features of the man, but when he
spoke in a well modulated, musical
voice was further puzzled. He did
not look like one of my set.
what kind of truce do you wantY'
he asked. you see have you covered
with my revolver and could kill you In
an instant"
But you fail to notice mine," an
swered. "a very slight pressure of the
trigger would send bullet through
your heart"
thought he turned n trifle paler, but
his voice was steady and unquavering.
II admit that and accept the situa.
ton. But tell me what terms you pro-
pose for your truce"
Simply these: We should go into
partnership at least for tonight. have
had as much trouble in getting into the
house as you, and have run just as
much risk, but you got ahead of me
and made complete job. admire
the way you have done the work.
Even couldn't do it better, and don't
sAAAAA yoa oSiohS " LIZ CluSS 1
"Never mind that" he interrupted
impatiently. "Stlck to your terms and
be quick"
"Well, to come straight to the point"
I added, little nettled at his abrupt
ways, II propose that we divide the
plumber you have collected. For your
extra trouble you take two-thirds and
One-third Is that fair1n
He remained silent moment and
then said:
"If I agree to such bargain, moth
ing further will ever be said of to-
nights work.?
mot word"
"And you will never recognize me
If you should happen to meet me on
the street or anywhere else?"
did not like this part of the bargain,
for I believe that every one should be
placed on the same level in such n bust
ness and that one man should not set
himself up to being better than an
other, but finally assenred, with the
exception of one slight qualifications:
Not unless we happen to meet under
similar circumstances again. Then I
might recall to you this meeting"
II don't think that is likely to occur"
he replied firmly.
Then in firm, measured voice he
added:
"Well, I'll trust you. will give you
one-third of all have collected. be-
lieve that you will keep your part of
the agreement if keep mine"
There was honesty written in his
face, and would have trusted him to
the extent of pocketing my revolver,
but again he got ahead of me. stood
there covering him with my weapon
half minute after he had put his
pistol in his pocket. A temptation to
make him give everything to me under
penalty Of death seized me for an In
slant when realized that he had
placed himself in my power. But that
same rich, musical voice suddenly re-
called me to my bargain.
"Here, take this bag outside with
you. and we will divide the thing
where there is less chance of detec-
ion."
"Have you been all over the. house?"
asked in little confusion.
Eyes, all over. There is nothing
worth taking left"
He moved toward the door and start
ed to open it. He turned an instant
and asked:
How did you come in?"
Through cellar window" replied.
"a clumsy way when you could have
entered by the front door,"
do you mean to say''-I began.
"S-s-s-h, don't speak now. Pm open
ing the door. Follow me-"
1 never felt the power of a man SO
strangely before. l attributed it to the
fact that was in the presence of q
master who put my feeble accomplish
ments entirely into the background,
and yet had prided myself upon my
successes!
We walked stealthily down the stairs
and out Of the front door to the lawn.
He carried pack larger than mine.
When yya rnochnd tho cboltor ne /,