The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-06

Come out here, you rascal. or you
are a dead mani"
That's all bluff, colonel" said the
intruder, with chuckle. Pull on
your trousers, if you are sober enough,
and take things easy"
The colonel obeyed. He obeyed be-
cause it suddenly struck him that he
didn't look dignified without trousers.
and because he would need them
anyway when he collared the man and
walked him to the police station. He
then sat down, because his knees
trembled under him, and that very
fact made him boil over with anger
and chagrin. With the revolver point
ed. under the bed. or as near so as he
could hold it, he continued:
You damnable scoundrel, but what
are you doing here in my apartments
in my BEDROOM
Robbery colonel. That's my
me, but he took off a bag of stuff,
while 1 stayed behind to investigate
further. When 1 heard you fumbling
at the front door I crept under the
tempting to get out that woke YOU up.
l should have been going through
your clothes in another minute more"
Then come out of that-come out,
say." Numbered the colonel, as he
grew hotter all the time.
Not just yet, colonel-not hardly"
Then I'll shoot you where you
are!'
mo you won't, old man. The in
slant 1 see your legs moving 1 shall
open fire on them. From where you
sit your bullets can't reach me, while
I have a dead sure thing on your legs.
Go slow, colonel
tits time 1 had the police in here
and had you out of this. Here goes!"
Click Click! 1t was, the man under
the bed getting ready to fire on the
coloneTs legs and the colonel hap
PLY realized it and fell back into his
chair.
There won't me any police called
in here before I'm gone" said the
stranger in his cool, calm way. after
I'm out you can raise all the racket
you want to-
'Ye gods, but must 1 put up with
thiSt'' almost walled the man of war.
You must. I have been ready to
come out for ten minutes past. and
you alone are to blame that I'm keep
ing you up Why not hold on 10 that
peppery temper of yours until we can
come to a pleasant understanding?
Let robber go after he has plum
dered me!'
That's what it must come to, Col
onel AS a soldier, you see the S1tua-
ton. We have got each other by the
short hair so to speak, and neither of
us is happy over it. There may be
question of honor involved, but | think
you'd better waive it. The plumber car
ried off won't foot up $500, and for that
trihing sum you'd be an ass to give
yourself away to police and reporters
yourself away at cheap price Be
sides"
besides what?" snapped the Col
onel.
1.-The family honor. you know"
What do you know about my fam
"A great deal. Colonel. You had a
brother George"
But he is dead
We'll. hardly. He was supposed to
have died several years ago. but as a
matter of fact he is very much alive
today Indeed. Colonel, he's the man
who carried off the swag just before
you came in.
You are lying, sir. I won't believe
a word of it,
"On your base again. Your brothers
middle name is Yates Light hair, blue
eyes, small hands, and there is d scar
on his right cheek from a wound re-
ceived when boy Also speaks with
a lisp. Am correct, Colonel?"
Yes, yes. Come out and tell me
morei" whispered the Colonel
There's only this more to say" said
the man. as he crept out and stood
erect. Your brother has gone to the