The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-29
bag back and forth, ! succeeded in
identifying the object as tin pan.

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bag back and forth, | succeeded in
identifying the object as tin pan.
AS was afraid to use my dark Ian
tern outside, ! lowered myself eau
tiously into the basement Instead Of
the coal bin found myself in the dairy
room of the house The odor from
newly made butter, fresh milk and
cream cheese gave me such an over
powering appetite that had to satisfy
it before could go any farther. By
CROPPING around on the shelves sue
ceeded in getting pretty fair supply
of food-milk and cream in abundance.
good cheese. several mince pies, some
cake and cold meat.
The night was early yet for my work,
and did not regret the time spent
in eating of that cold but tempting re-
past. would have felt better had
discovered a bottle of good wine, but
in its absence the fresh milk was
fair substitute.
The door leading from the dairy room
to the basement laundry was not
locked, and | quietly entered the latter
place. l now ventured to open a little
the slide of my dark lantern. and by
| to the ground floor. The servants
| quarters We're above me, and to avoid
arousing any one removed my shoes.
! The house was spacious and rSomy,
and had to take note of my surround
| ings as proceeded, so that might
| find my way back again without blum.
dering. 1t is a poor general, 1 have al
ways thought. who burns his bridges
| behind him. More than once this care
| full habit of mine has saved me from
unpleasant complications
| When l passed from the kitchen into
| the dining room, | was greatly sur
prised not to find any solid pieces of
silver. Even many of the expensive
pieces of bric-abrac that are usual to
4! such houses We're gone. 1t looked as if
the hostess had anticipated robbery
and had stripped the tables and man.
telpieces of every small article Of spe.
cial value.
Although disappointed, l made my
way upstairs. hoping to ind some loose
jewelry at least on the bureaus. There
were signs of the feast and entertain
ment all about the hall and rooms, but
was unable to find anything that ap-
pealed to my tastes. l passed from
one bedroom to another, with about
the same result. could hear the reg
ular breathing of the occupants Of the
house, and distant noise in the rear
told me that one man was good snor-
er. So long as that rhythmic sound
continued l felt that l was safe from
all alarms.
After making detour of the rooms
finally entered q small chamber that
was used for storing linen and trunks.
1t occurred to ME that possibly the
missing things We're packed away in
this room. | closed the door gently
behind me and turned on the slide
from my lantern.
AS did so was suddenly startled
by the bright ray of some light shoot.
ing out of the darkness Instantly |
graspea my revolver and directed my
light toward the spot. The result of
this movement was to produce a queer
combination
saw that ! was looking into tie
mouth of IL revolver held in the hands
OF Il man who was inspecting me by
the aid OF /; dark lantern similar to
my own My own revolver was COW
ering the place where his heart should
be.
The discovery must have been si-
| multaneous. for we both flashed the
light of our lanterns into each others
face and gazed long and silently. Nei-
ther Wore a mask, and in the uncov-
! cred eyes there was cool, deadly re.
solve written. 1t would have been
foolhardy for either to shoot for the
life of the other would have been in.
stantly sacrificed. / waited full min
ute or two for the man to speak.
'Well," said finally, unwilling to
bear the strain Of silence longer, "you
seem to be ahead Of me tonight, and l
must congratulate you upon the neat.
ness Of your work. l haven't found a
thing behind you.''
The man was not inclined to answer
at first. but continued in reassuring
voice:
I'VE may as wcll call Il truce. 1t
would be folly for either of us to shoot.
don't want to get you in trouble any
more than myself"
had been struck by the fine, hand
some features of the man, but when he
| spoke in we'll modulated, musical