The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-03-26

mousse through one or the basement
windows. | waited a reasonable length
of time before following him. Then
when everything was quiet l climbed
through the window at the risk of my
own life. for realized that my form
was silhouetted against the outside
light, while my master might be hid
den in the darkness inside.
But l gained the interior of the base
ment without accident. searched
around for an open door, and, finding
it. l walked catlike into larger room.
| knew that my masters first point
would be the dining room, and bold
ly climbed the stairs leading to it from
the basement Once there l heard the
slight rattle of silver and caught the
quick. tlashing ray of his dark lantern.
Then concealed myself behind some
curtains and waited.
decided that it would be better to
let him finish his job and then con-
front him with his booty in his hands.
There would then be no question of his
intentions.
He passed from the dining room into
the library and then moved silently
upstairs. In spite of his soft steps
and quiet motions | could occasionally
catch a sound which indicated to me
where he was. If anybody had been
awake, his presence would have been
detected.
kept myself pretty well concealed
behind some curtain or portiere, for
dreaded lest at any moment he might
flash the rays Of his lantern in my di-
rection and detect me. was thus con-
cealed from view in small alcove
opening upon the upper hall when
was startled by peculiar noise.
AS professional burglar myself
knew the alarming nature Of that
sound. 1t was the distinct click of
revolver. peered through the cur
tans to determine what it meant. AS
did SO there was another cliclS this
time lower and less distinct This was
caused by the pressing Of an electric
button. The next moment the whole
house was brilliantly lighted.
stepped back into the alcove with
! trembling heart The inmates of the
house had been aroused. and my mas
ter as we'll as myself was caught.
Through the tilmy curtains ! caught
glimpse Of dark shadow flash
through the hall toward the front
,tairs. knew that it was my master
Ind that he was making bold dash
Tor freedom.
At almost the same moment heard
door open and loud voice exclaim:
"Stop or III shoot!"
imagined that my master did not
obey, for the next moment two pistol
shots rang through the house, followed
by the loud shuttling Of feet and the
banging Of doors.
Had tragedy been enacted within
sound Of me or had my master es-
capped?
l waited and listened, eXpectantly
and anXiously. The people of the
house We're evidently assembled in the
hall below. They We're too frightened
to do much talking. Then matters
calmed down a little, and 1 caught
snatches of their conversation.
"The basement window was opened" f"
somebody said. He jumped out of
that"
Didn't you hit him, father?" asked
youthful voice which l recognized
as that of the seventeeh-year-old son
of Mr.. Jaimson.
81 don't know. Do you see any signs
of blood in the basement?"
They went down another flight OF
stairs, and l would have made bold
dash for liberty then had not the pres
) ence Of some of the frightened serv
ants in the upper hall prevented me.
Half an hour later they returned up
!, stairs. Fortunately for me no though
of search for another burglar en-
tered their minds. Mr.. Jaimson tried
to calm the servants and the ladies by
saying:
: "Now all go to bed again. There i:
no more danger. He has left thu
: house, and we are safer than ever.
7 burglar never enters a house the sec
ond time"
Gradually they separated and re
! turned to their bedrooms. Only th
8 old man and his wife remained in tn
: hall within my hearing. When every
thing was quiet again, he said:
e ELLEN, l recognized the burglar to
night beyond doubt"
"Why, Edward, who was he?" hi
: wife asked quickly.
9 You will hardly believe me, Eliel
when | tell Won but il is true | couI