The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-11

me give you an illustration Of the
phrase, Homo among thieves Give
me your word that you will strictly full
fill your share of the proposal, and in
return I will SO far trust you that be-
fore leaving the house I win hand you
| ever you please"
Your opinion Of me is highly con-.
~plimentary," said Villiers with a mock
bow. Il will endeavor to prove that
trust reposed in me by the directors of
the Auglo-Australasian Steamship
company. I cannot hinder you from
following me down to the Office, but I.
shall certainly not do what you require
of me-"
The burglar smiled confidently.
II think you WILL" he said, and
silence fell on the two.
Max Villiers moved restlessly about
the room, not daring to approach the
door for fear of hat terrible weapon
which the burglar still held in his hand.
He was In q Quandary, from which he
felt powerless to extricate himself.
There was something almost compel
forceful. dete Stnined personality made
him realize the more his own weakness.
He was firm, however, on one point. He
would not, under any pressure, betray
the confidence of his employers. But,
how he was going to escape from his
present difficulty he had not the faint
est idea
eight they left the room together, with
an admonishing look from the burglar,
n entered the breakfast room. There
was no cause for him to alarm his sis
ter. SO he briefly explained the pres
ence of the burglar in the way the
latter had suggested. Then they left
the house and walked In the direction.
Of the Office. The burglar was a pace
behind him all the way, and Villiers
had an uncomfortable feeling that the
mans hand was thrust into his breasti
pocket ready on the smallest provoca-I
ton to carry out his threat.
At last they reached the Office. Viii
liers went straight into his own de-
partment, and he burglar followed
him in. Slowly he went into his private
office, the burglar at his heels, and shut
the o behind him.
NOW" said the burglar. Look
sharp! I have no time to waste!"
Max Villiers faced him boldly.
II will not do it," he said firmly.
You must!" said the burglar, and,
he drew the revolver from his pocket
and pointed it Ut Villlers' head.
For a moment there was silence
Then, in a voice clear and resolute.
V1lliers said:
XIII me if you like, but I will not be-
sANS@ NAS VA AAJ
The burglar put the revolver in his
pocket, and, going to the door, opened
it. Sir Percival Hawthorn was outside.
and, in response to a nod from the
burglar, he walked in.
Hes all right" said the burglar.
mo more than I expected" said the
baronet-
Vtlliers sank into a chair. It seemed
as though his senses were deserving
him.
"Mr. Villiers.' aid the baronet. II
see we must put this little matter to
rights and put you at your ease. AS
you have doubtless heard, the post OF
general manager at our Sydney house
is now vacant. The salary is $4,000 a
year. For reasons into which I need not
now enter, I lave had a growing in
clination to promote you to the appoint
ment. But you are a young man, n
for the sake Of my fellow directors, it
behooved me to make sure that you
were proof against great temptation.
So I mentioned the matter to my friend,
Detective Grace, and he consented to
help me-. You Ia stood the test we'll,
and I am glad Of 1t. You will be al
lowed a ont cav of absence. at
the end Of which time we shall expect
you to start for Sydney, there to take
up you new appointment"
He came and laid his and kindly en-
Villiers' shoulder.
This has given you a bit Of a shak-
ing" he said with a smile. well, we
must make amends for that Suppose
you come to The Chestnuts' to din
ner his evening. I fancy I shall not be
the only n there who will be delight
ed to see you" And he looked mean
ingly into the still bewildered fac Of
Villiers.
And he was right For Dulcie lay in
wait for him as he came in, and, draw
1 - IT, -ak1.x f-k- - ~o~~
but themselves might see, she threw
her arms about his neck and kissed
him.
"Oh, you dear old boy!" she said.
dad told me all about it this after
noon. And now we can be- And she
broke off In confusion.
But Max finished the sentence for
her. :
CORRECT BREATHING. i