The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-02
A BURGLAR PRO TEN

there are others in the London house
VINO are my Seniors and who may
therefore take precedence over me.
I'm afraid I cannot count on that ap-
pointment."
Dulcie pouted.
For two pins" she said, I'D risk
Dads fury and indignation. and ask
him plump to give you the appoint
ment."
The man gasped.
you would" he said in astonish-
ment. why. he would order my in
slant dismissal! For heavens sake,
don't do anything so rash! My chance
Will come some day, and we must have
patience. l am not unrecognized even
now by Sir Percival, for he is always
most kind in his treatment. and some
times even does me the honor of ask
Ing my opinion in regard to certain
matters of business connected with my
department. Yes, we must have pa
thence, darling, and wait! some
times think 1t won't be very long in
coming, though 1 have no reasonable
or tangible ground for such a present.
iment."
well. said Dulcie. with decision, "if
1t doesn't come quickly shall lose pa
thence, and then 1 shall do something
desperate"
Max laughed. and Dulcie, catching
the infection, laughed, too.
Something may turn UP before
then" said the man. And, rising, they
returned to their respective homes.
1t was about 2 in the morning when
Max Villiers awoke from a deep sleep
to the consciousness that something
unusual was in the air. Sitting UP in
bed. he peered about the room. and. to
his establishment. saw the dim outline
of a man seated comfortably in his
easy-chair. The man rose as he
moved. and, slowly walking across the
room, turned on the gas.
Glad you're awake" he said coolly.
II want to smoke, and didn't like doing
SO before, for fear of giving you TOO
big a fright when you awoke."
He took out his cigar case and care
fully lit one of the cigars which 1t con-
tanned. Then he offered the case to
Villiers. But the latter declined.
MOP" said the stranger in affected
surprise. That's a pity. Nothing like
smoking to clear the head for busi-
ness!"
''Business?" echoed Max, growing
more indignant at the intrusion as he
recovered his waking faculties. It
should like to know, first of all, what
business you have here?"
ooh, there's no hurry for that" said
the man complacently. Il am here. as
you see. and how 1 got here is easily
explained. l took the trouble to pro-
cure latch key which would open the
outer door of your fiat. Your inner
doors, l notice. you leave unlocked,
which is unTise. not to say encourage
ing to men of my profession. The
night Waterman in the hall below adj
mitted me with a persuasion, and thus
the usual obstacles were easily sur
mounted"
But what, in heavens name. have
you gone to all this trouble for?" ask
ed Vtlliers.
well" responded the stranger
since you are so persistent, I suppose
l must explain the object of my visit.
But L can't talk and smoke, too, SO
please allow me to finish this cigar be-
fore l enter into business matters"
He leant coolly back in the easy
chair. which he had again occupied aft
er lighting the gas, and smoked for
some minutes in silence. When he had
finished. he tossed the stump of his
cigar into the crate, and turned to
Villiers.
Now" he said, with a sharp pre-
cision which had not previously char
acterized him, 1--WE can get to business
AS you have doubtless already con-
Guided, L am a member OF that class Of
the community who subsist on the
credul1ty and simplicity of others. The
pickpocket is the lowest member of
this great class. 1 belong to the high
est, where intelligence, ingenuity. mas
terry of circumstances and fertility of
conception are required. You, on the
other hand. are an honest, hard work
ing plodder in the service of the An
glo-Australasian Steamship company.
And l have need of you"
"Need-of mel" repeated Villiers in
bewilderment
Precisely" said the stranger, brush
ing a speck of cigar ash from his i'm
maculate frock-coat. Let me explain
further. The department of which you
are the head is responsible, among
other things, for the arrangements
connected with the shipment of specie,
bullion and other valuables. A few
days ago you received an advice from
Messrs. Rosenstein and Gluck, of
Hattno Garden, intimating their desire
to ship parcel Of precious stones to
Sydney by the steamship Druid, which
sails on the 23rd."
Villiers looked at his visitor in
amazement. But he did not express
his surprise, as to do so would have
been to tacitly admit the truth Of the
statement.
The value of this parcel" continued
the stranger airily, was estimated by
Rosenstein and Gluck at 100000 Two
OF their most trusted representatives
VIII convey the parcel to the ship an
hour before she sails, and 1t will be
your province to accompany them, in
order chat, on your side too, the de-
post OF the stones in the strong room
OF the ship may be testified to. The
captain of the Druid will have one of
the three keys which will open the
door of the strong room. A second is
in possession of your Sydney repre-
sentative, and you have charge of the
third.
Now what 1 want of you is this.
snail accompany you when you go to
the office in the morning. 1t will be
quite easy for me to satisfy any GU
rtostty which this step may arouse in
your clerks, by assuming the role of
an intending shipper and making the
usual inquiries as to bills of lading
Then you can take me to your private
ONCE, where, without being observed.
you can show me the key of the
Druid's strong room. I shall merely
require to hold it in my hand for a
second or so. A little wax will do the
rest!"
There was an angry light in Max
VllHers' eyes as he listened to this
criminal proposal. Leaping out of
bed he began hastily to dress him
self.
You Infamous scoundreli" he said
with Olpa auoe