Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-10-04

cess OF my little
scheme. If either my master or Or.
Squires got a hint of my intentions,
the game would be up and I would
have all my labor for nothing. 1t
would be such an easy matter, too, for
either Miss Stetson or Mr.. Jaimson to
drop a word to some relative or init
mate friend which would ruin every
thing.
had not learned what DR.. Squires'
mission was in leaving the mansion on
Tuesday afternoon and evening, but I
concluded that it had something to Go
with his prospective fortune, and this
fortune, l felt reasonably certain, con-
sisted solely OF the stolen goods which
had accumulated In his house. He had
evidently reached the point where he
thought 1t advisable to ship them away
to some more convenient place where
they could be disposed Of to advan-
tage. 1t would be comparatively easy
to send them of by express to some
distant city and melt up the silver
pieces and sell the metal for what it
would bring.
While he was making arrangements
to escape with his unlawful goods /
was planning to capture him and rob
him of his sole title to fortune. did
not doubt but he would take the lions
share of the spells, leaving my master
only n small portion, or probably he
would at the last moment escape with
out dividing at all with him. He was
capable OF such q trick.
Shortly after dusk on Tuesday I ap-
preached the old mansion on foot.
had made sure of the doctors disap-
pearance. | saw him get on the train
about noon and leave for the city.
AS soon as 1t was dark enough to
conceal myself from view approached
the house and looked through the
kitchen windows. The old Indian serv-
ant was alone and seemed TO be busIly
engaged In cooking his supper. When
had made sure OF this, / hurried
around to the front piazza and began
to climb. the post which had once be-
fore served me similar good turn.
Knowing the way well. made quick
work in climbing on the roof of the
house, and / reached the cupola with
out mishap. Here l found everything
as l had left 1t during my previous
visit. l opened the window without
difficulty and proceeded to lift the trap
door In the floor. The lock had not
been tempered with, and nobody had
ever been the wiser for my first visit
In a few moments l found my way
down the ladder and stood in the upper
hall The house was wrapped In dark
ness, except for the light In the kitchen.
This all helped to make my plan easier.
I descended the front stairs noise
lessly, and through the half open door
could catch n glimpse OF the old
servant. From this position could
measure his probable strength and
powers 1t was necessary that should
be able to cope successfully with him,
and was not going to run any risk.
For some time / watched his slow
| movements about the kitchen. He pre-
pared his supper and ate 1t in silence.
Then when he proceeded to wash
! the dishes I found that 1t was getting
late, and for the success OF my plan it
would be necessary to expedite mat
tiers. 1 purposely dropped a heavy
| book IN the front hall and then glided
| quickly behind the Office portieres.
The noise, as 1 expected, attracted the
old man from his work, and he came
catlike into the hall, peering intently
ahead of him.
He did not expect to find any one in
the house. The noise sounded as If 1t
proceeded from the front piazza. The
old man glanced through the plate
glass OF the front door before he
opened it. This was my opportunity.
| / sprang out of the darkness and
landed plump upon the mans back,
carrying~him to the floor by my weight.
| AL