The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-03-26
BY GEORGE E. WALSH
c0pwtgns, 1908, Dy F. M. Buckles Co., Ne,o Yors

1t was fitful. moonlight night. The
moon came up about II o'clock, but
the clouds in the heavens partly shut
1t from view. 1t cast wavering, van
ishing shadows upon the calm earth
which were exceedingly aggravating.
They were so deceptive in appearance
that felt my task would be doubly
difficult.
Ny master left the house at the
usual time and proceeded to walk lei
surely toward the doctors. followed
him at some distance, not making any
special effort to keep him in view.
knew that he was not anticipating any
shadowing. and we both made our
way to tue old mansion according to
our own notions.
I hurried 4 little toward the end of
the walk to make sure that he entered
the house. reached a vantage point
just in time to see the door open and
close behind him. Then | amused mJ.
self the best way could for several
hours.
Shortly after midnight | reused my
self to action. Che time was approach
ing when | must prove my skill The
house was all dark, and no signs came
from it to indicate the presence Of
living soul anywhere around it.
1t was full hour before the door
opened. Then by the aid of the moons
white light caught a glimpse of my
master and the doctor. They We're
consulting together in the shadow of
the porch. l saw the latter point
down the road, but could not under
stand anything he said.
A few moments later my master left
him and glided rather than walked
down the drive toward the highway.
I waited for him, concealed in some
bushes near the gate. His manner
was quick, nervous, energetic-so un-
like his natutll habits. The profess
sional burglar was aroused in him-a
second self which had been carefully
cultivated and developed.
We both moved down the highway
cautiously, watching, listening and an
ticipating some unknown danger.
kept within ten yards Of him, but al
ways ready to increase the distance
between us on the slightest sign from
him that he intended to double upon
his tracks. l was familiar with his
tactics this time sufficiently to enable
me to be prepared for the most un-
expected movement.
Never did a detective shadow a Grim
inal with more intentness than l die
my master that night. He led me 6
chase two miles down the road; theI
without apparent reason he strucl
across the fields to one of the side
roads which ran parallel with the mail
highway. A mile down this brough
him to a fork in the road formed by
the meeting of an old, deserted lane
Into this he turned his silent footsteps
Five hundred yards down it 4 small
purling brook crossed the lane. 1t wa.
too broad to jump over, but only few
feet deep.
My master removed his shoes quick
ter, but instead of crossing he wadet
a long distance down stream and thel
regained the same shore again. un
derstood his maneuver. 1t was t
throw bloodhounds off the track an,
to confuse any detective who nigh
try to trace him back to the doctor
house.
| smiled at the trick and waite
quietly for him to replace his shoes
Then once more he started on his joul
ney. This time he ceased to pursue
Zigzag course, but made a bee line for
large house not hundred yards fro1
the brook. This knew was the seen
of his nights work.
The house was modern one an
stood on slight eminence Overlookin
the surrounding country. 1t was owl
ed by an intimate friend Of the Stetso
and Goddard families-Mr. Jaimso
by name-and it occurred to me as b.
ing very peculiar that my maste
should attempt to rob it. But whf
could not be expected of him after h
had looted the Stetson house, the yer
home Of the one whom he loved
Could such baseness be ever overlool
ed? Could such man be reformed
For few moments my resolution
wavered, and I thought of returnin
and telling all that knew to Miss Ste
son and let her decide the fate of IL
two men.
ta- But moment later 1 found myse
ursning my game with renewed an
pation. He had actually entered Il