Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-05-20
6be Architect Burglar.
NNeNeeNeseN~e eeeNNR NNAeNNee aNNeNeAo

eeeNNeNeee aNNAeeA9
neighborhood. He processes to making
architectural drawings, and by so do
ing finds out all manner of details"
'"That is certainly very original"
Original. I should think so. In
fernally sharp, I call it." Mr.. Brom-
ley Brown here proceeded to read aloud
an extract from the newspaper.
"'The architect-burslar,' for by this
sobriquet this accomplished<crirlinal is
now known, has been seen, it is be-
lieved, not long in this neighbor-
hood. although probably he is now
many miles away from the scene of his
late exploits. He is described as
young man of gentlcmanlike and mill
tary appearance, with fair hair and
mustache, and wearing clothes of fash
icnable make
Mr.. Bromley Brown was soon alb
sorbed in meditation. He pictured
himself, resolute, terrible, cunning,
bounding down this distinguished
criminal, bringing him to justice-af-
terward, in court, replying with tell-
ing sarcasm to the cross-eXamination
of the prisoners counsel, and, lastly,
complimented by the judge on the III.
cid, admirable way in which he had
given his evidence. Life was no long
er scrdid and prosaic; it was palpitat-
ing with romance He fell asleep to the
accompaniment Of the lark's song. and
dreamed that he was the chief of po-
lice in Russia. Waking up with a
start, he heard the clock strike IL.
"Gracious me-" he cried aloud. With
his waking eyes he still seemed to see
the female Nihilist of his vision, point
ing revolver at his head He
stretched himself and walked sadly
across. the lawn toward the hedge that
bounded his garden. Below him was
the riband of white road, pine bor-
dered. Mr.. Bromley Brown started,
but much more violently this time.
Then he rubbed his face and eyes with
his Handkerchief and uttered q low
eXc.afGa uOn. -
A few yards away in the road he
saw the figure of a, young man, tall,
fair yes, and of unmistakably, soldier
ly appearance! And he was sketching.
A thrill ran down Mr. Browns spine.
He might not be the chief of the Rus
sian police, but was he not on the eve
of a discovery, an adventure, the pos
siEle player in a great and dramatic
case? He coughed and unlocked the
gate leading to the road. In one mo-
ment his mind had been made up. He
would invite this young man, obvious
ly no other than the architect-burglar,
with friendly greeting, into his house.
A hurried word to the coachman would
send him, on swift feet, for two of the
local police. Another messenger would
hasten to General Compton, the stern
est of county magistrates, and he would
arrive in time to be witness of the
discontinue of notorious criminal.
and of the ingenuity and promptitude
of his old friend Brown. Meanwhile
the young man had looked up smiling
ly. In answer to the remarks of the
old gentleman by the hedge he said
that he had come a considerable dis
tance-that-anda this with very
pleasant laugh-well, yes, he was
thirsty, and that there would be plenty
of time to finish his sketch after lun-
9cheon, and that he thought it most
kind suggestion of his questioner to
invite him to have some.
Mr.. Bromley Brown, whose cheek
had now lost much Of its usual ruddi-
ness, walked with set lips and a curl
Gus enigmatic expression on his face
up the stone steps on to the terrace,
and the young man.. smiling and I'M
concerned, fallowed him into the draw
ing room. For one instant Mr.. Brown
glanced neryously at silver box and
candlestick on Valentines writing ta-
BILE. Then, murmurlng an excuse, he
ran, painting, to the stables; in a chok-
ing voice dispatched the astonished
coachman for the police, and helper,
with an impressive message scribbled
on a card, to General Compton. On
his return he found the architect-bur
glar laughing over q favorite book of
Valentines the DIARY of a Nobody
and they two talked. Mr.. Brown, for
his part, with curious absent mind
edness, of books and different forms
of humor. The parlor maid inter-
rupted them to say that some cold
meat was ready, and the two men ad-
journed to the dining room. The guest
seemed duly grateful for a whiskey
and soda.
That's beautiful old cup" he re-
marked, pointing to a piece of silver
of Queen Anne date in the middle of
the table.
Mr.. Bromley Browns expression of
mingled triumph and sarcasm passed
unnoticed by the cheerful young visit
or, who talked for some time with in
telligence and knowledge on the sub
ject of old plate. Mr.. Brown was be-
coming so agitated that he began to
walk up and down the room.
"And these are lovely spoons" OBJ
served the architect-burglar, with ap-
palling coolness. The clock struck
cne-and he rose quickly to his feet.
Thank. you thousand times for
yosr hospitality" he said, pleasantly.
81 am afraid I must be off. You see
l am slietching for duty, not pleasure" +"
Mr.. Brown gazed at him aghast, but
not without admiration: He felt that
this must indeed be one Of the mostre-
markable criminals now at large.
Don't hurry-pray," he said, ner-
vously. "HaEe glass of green Char
treuse." &4g
"You are too kind" said his guest.
There was sound of steps at the