Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-25


to confuse any detective who might
try to trace him back to the doctors
house.
smiled at the trick and waited
quietly for him to replace his shoes.
Then once more he started on his jour
ney. This time he ceased to pursue q
zigzag course, but made bee line for a
large house not hundred yards from
the brook. This knew was the scene
Of his nights work.
The house was a modern one and
stood on slight eminence overlooking
the surrounding country. 1t was own
ed by an intimate friend Of the Stetson
and Goddard families-Mr. Jaimson
by name-and it occurred to me as be-
ing very peculiar that my master
should attempt to rob it. But what
could not be expected of him after he
had looted the Stetson house, the very
home Of the one whom he loved
Could such baseness be ever overlook
ed? Could such a man be reformed
For a few moments my resolutions
wavered. and l thought Of returning
and telling all that I knew to Miss Stet.
son and let her decide the fate Of the
two men.
But a moment later I found myself
pursuing my game with renewed AMI
nation. He had actually entered the
house through one Of the basement
windows. l waited reasonable length
Of time before following him. Then
when everything was quiet 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 gained the interior Of the base.
ment without accident. searched
around for an open door, and, finding
1t, 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 I heard the
slight rattle Of silver and caught the
quick. flashing ray Of his dark lantern.
Then I 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 bis soft steps
and quiet motions could occasionally
catch q 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 d.
rection and detect me. I was thus con-
cealed from view In small alcove
opening upon the upper hall when /
was startled by a peculiar noise.
AS q professional burglar myself /
knew the alarming nature Of that
sound. 1t was the distinct click OF
revolver. peered through the cur
tains to determine what it meant. AS
| did so there was another click, 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 filmy curtains l caught
glimpse of a dark shadow flash
through the hall toward the front
stairs. l knew that it was my master
and that he was making bold dash
for freedom.
At almost the same moment I heard
door open and loud voice exclaim:
"Stop or I'll shoot"
imagined that my master did not
obey, for the next moment two pistol
shots rang through the house, followed
by the loud shuf1ing Of feet and the
banging Of doors.
Had q tragedy been enacted within
sound of me or had my master es-
capped?
1 waited and listened, expectantly
and anxiously. The people Of the
house were evidently assembled In the
! hall below. They were too frightened
to do much talking. Th6n matters
calmed down a little, and I caught
snatches of their conversation.
"The basement window was opened"
somebody said. "He jumped out Of
that"
Didn't you hit him, father?" asked
! youthful voice which I recognized
as that Of the seventeen-year-old son
of Mr.. Jaimson.
II don't know. Do you see any signs
Of blood in the basement" ?"
They went down another flight OF
stairs, and 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 thought
of a search for another burglar en-
tered their minds. Mr.. Jafmson tried
to calm the servants and the ladies by
saying:
snow all go to bed again. There Is
no more danger. He has left the
house, and we are safer than ever. A
burglar never enters a house the Sec
ond time"
| Gradually they separated and re-