Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-11-04
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!, A Double Surprise !,
By Charler x,.,,. ~. 4
Copyright, G. VAiAnlu AAuAu
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By Charlie.

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'9The games up, Dick. open and let
us out. 1t is l, Tom, and your cousin
Jack" said the voice of bunker.
$50 Jack is there" thought Dick, but
he only said, dwelling exasperatingly
on the false name of his chum: Whats
that you say, bunker? Speak louder"
ooh, nonsense, Dick!' broke in his
cousin. "You can hear as we'll Us we
can. You've turned the tables on us,
md we cry enough. Open up and let's
go to bed"
~ am grieved to say, Beggs," retort-
ed Dick, shat / cannot place much re-
lance on your statements after wit
Messing your conduct this evening.
Where you obtained the names of my
friends / don't know, but I would be
extremely simple, don't you think, to
put you in possession Of the premises
again? It won't do you any good to
talk any more. am going to bed to
sleep now, and in the morning shall
hand you over to the police. They
have been looking for you for some
time and will be overjoyed to get hold
Of you. Well, wish you good night"
Despite the energetic expostulations
Of his cousin Jack and his chum Tom,
Dick could not be prevailed upon to ut
ter another syllable. He stole around
to the cellar door and secured 1t from
the outside. The windows to the coal
bins were similarly secured, and then
Dick tptoed into the house. He paused
minute to listen ut the cellar door and
then went upstairs for a book to read.
He intended to keep the boys in sus-
pense for half an hour or SO and then
liberate them. This, he thought, would
about equalize the joke.
He left the pistol on the table and
slowly assembled the stairs. AS he
reached the top he was treated to sec
ond surprise. Hardly was his foot on
the landing than he was grasped rude
ly by the throat and ordered to throw
up his hands. The sudden attack threw
him into such n mental condition that
his new captor was obliged to tighten
his hold upon his throat before Dick
could gather sense enough to obey the
command. He was then unceremo-
niously marched into his bedroom,
where the light was still burning.
The newcomer pushed Dick on to the
bed and, with u command to him to lie
still If he didn't wish to be interfered
with, proceeded to pull open the bu-
reau drawers.
Scarcely was the mans back turned
when Dick ran his hand under the Pill,
low DIN search of his revolver.
"Stop there! Up with your hands!"
The sharp eyed housebreaker had
seen in the mirror the reflection Of
Dicks motions and whirled upon him
before he could complete the move
ment.
He was obliged to yield, and 1t was
with the deepest chagrin that he saw
his pearl handled weapon transferred
to the burglars pocket.
He now lay quite still and surveyed
the third of the nights inruders. This
last one was quite genuine, although
he did not come in the fashion Of his
predecessors. He was short, stout
dressed in close fitting suit of darh
material and carried n revolver and q
bag. He wore no mask, but a black
slouched hat, pulled down to meet his
high coat collar, partially concealed his
features.
He failed to discover anything Of
value in the bureau and, ordering Dich
to get up, passed into another room
Here the burglar met with some sor,
of success, and knickknacks of al
sorts were hastily thrown into the bag
Dick watched the proceeding with un
availing rage The burglar had tn,
night before him, and unless the boy.
succeeded in breaking out and coming
to his rescue nothing could prevent tn,
house from being stripped from top t,
bottom.
Dicks previous predicament was a
nothing to this one. He formed hal
dozen plans for springlng across til
room, falling violently on the burgla
and holding him down with one hant
while he got possession Of the revolver
with the other, but somehow just as b
was about to prepare for the sprinl
the villain would look up and grin q
Dick as if he understood the curren
of the latters thoughts.
1t was very tantalizing, but he ha,
to stand 1t. He still hoped for chanc
to overthrow his antagonist and wa
careful not to throw that chance ava,
by any foolish attempt.
/ Hor{yr apJoyod 1,,I%1, ,oo4v,.
floor, the housebreaker demanded to b
led to the china closet. Dick compiled
but all the time cudgeled his brain
for an idea. There was a revolver o.
the kitchen table, but how was he t
get ut 1t? He carried the lamp In hi
hand, and his visitor followed hir
at arms length with his bag and fire
arm.
AS they reached the kitchen and pre-
pared to pass into the dining roor
Dick yawned, turned down the vic
of the lamp trife and held It out a
arms length.
whats that for?" asked the bur
glar, stopping and listening, as thougl
he feared 1t might be signal. Il
cooked his head on one side and cas-
q glance behind him. As he did g
Dick slid his arm along the table be
side him, and triumphant grin toll
of his success.
9Th? What's-t that forT' calculate,
the burglar, frowning angrily and com
ing nearer as Dick drew away.
"The lamp smoked" said DicA
thrusting the weapon into his poke
and turning up the wick. He wa
waiting for the man to get his hand
off that pistol.
"Well, If that happens again shal