Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-04

silver. Even many of the expensive
pieces OF bric-a-brac that are usual to
such houses Wcrc gone 1t looked as If
the hostess had anticipated robbery
and had stripped the tables and man
telpicccs of every small article of spc.
cial value.
Although disappointed, | made my
way upstairs hoping 10 find some loose
icwclry at least on tie bureaus. There
were signs of the feast and entertain
mcnt all about the hall and rooms. but
| was unable to find anything that ap.
pcalcd to my tastes. | passed from
one bedroom to another, with about
the same result. / could hear the reg
ular breathing of the occupants Of the
house. and "A distant noise in the rear
told me that one man was n good snor-
or. So long as that rhythmic sound
continued felt that was safe from
all alarms.
After making a detour of the rooms
/ finally entered small cha mber 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 the and turned on the slide
from my lantern.
AS | did so | was suddenly startled
by the bright ray of some light shoot
ing out Of the darkness Instantly
glH sped my revolver and directed my
light toward the spot The result Of
this movement was to produce a queer
combination.
| saw that ] was looking into the
mouth OF a revolver held IN the hands
of man who was inspecting me by
the aid of a dark lantern similar to
my own. My own revolver was COW
erng 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 other s
face and gazcd long and silently. Nei-
Their wore a mask. and in the uncov-
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 a full min
ute or two for the man to speak.
WELL" ! said finally, unwilling to
bear the strain OF silence longer. you
seem to be ahead of me tonight. and
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:
I'VE may as well call truce 1t
would be folly for either of us to shoot.
more than myself"
had been struck by the fine, hand
some features Of the man, but when he
spoke in we'll modulated, musical
voice ! was further puzzled. lie did
not look like ono of my set.
what kind of a truce do You want %
he asked. You see have YOU covered
with my revolver and could kill you in
an instant"
But you fail to notice mine" an
swercd, "A very slight pressure of the
I trigger would send a bullet through
! your heart"
l thought he turned a tri1e paler, but
his voice was steady and unquavcrinG,
Il 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 i'll getting into the
house as you, and | have run just as
/ much risk, but you got ahead of me
and made a complete job. ] admire
the way you have done the work
Even | couldn't do it better, and don't
think you belong to the class p
/ Never mind that" he interrupted
impaticntly. Stick to your terms AND
be quick"
"Wcll, to come straight to the point,
! added, a little nettled at his abrupt
ways, Il propose that we divide the
plumber you have collected. For your
extra trouble you take two-thirds and
l one-third. Is that fair?"
He remained silent a moment anC
then said.
III l agree to such a bargain, moth
ing further will ever be said of to
nights work"
Not a word"
And you will never recognize mi
II you should happen to meet me OF
the street or anywhere elSe?"
did not like this part of the bargain
for | believe that every one should b,
placed on the same level in such a bust
ness and that one man should not Sc
himself up to being better than an
other, hut l finally assentcd, with tn
exception of one slight qualification;
"Not unless we happen to meet unde
similar circumstances again. Then
might recall to you this meeting"
II dot think that is likely to occur.
he replied firmly.
Then in a urn, measured voice h
added:
"Well, I'll trust you. I will give 20
onc-third of all have collected. | b,
lieve that you will keep your part O
the agreement if keep mine
I There was honesty written in hi
face, and | would have trusted him I
the extent of pockcting my revolver
but again he got ahead of me, ! stoo
there covering him with my wcapo
half minute after he had put hi
pistol in his pocket. A temptation I
make him give everything to me undo
' penalty of death seized me for an il
, slant when realized that he ha
placed himself in my power But tina