The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-12-04
Treasure of N. J.No. 10
BY Everett HOlbrOOk Copyright 1905 by Charles M Lure

three members of N. J. No. 10. who
had come to pay considerable sums
Into the treasury. When he had with
drawn with these brethren Into snoth.
or room Margaret turned TO Woodbury..
IL think this IL all nonsense, don't
your said she. waving her hand To-
ward the strong box and the revolver.
"lihT' said he. starting. II beg your
pardon" And then. returning TO the
world Of unromantlc fact. he studied
her face. you're not bit nervcuA
are your Not easily frightened,
mean"
You're thinking OF revolversi I'm not
tImId about them from ignorance. |
could take that one TO pieces and put II
together again, but George couldn't.
And he's NO nervous and absentminded!
wish he wouldn't keep the thing
loaded"
"weii, / don't know said the young
man doubtfuly. And then. with deci.
sion: The fact In. Margaret. that ]
saw two suspicious looking men hang
Ing around here In the early part OF the
evening. They certainly looked ~ II
they were examining this residence
with a view to visit"
II suppose we ought 10 tell my
brother" said she. "Yet what's the
usei He'll trust his money 20 that r.
dIculous boz instead Of hiding II, which
IL the only safe way. Burglars are a.
ways stupid about finding things. but
when II comes to breaking locks-why.
that's their trade. OF course n George
would only give the money to me and
let me put II away
George will take care Of the mon
ey." said her brother. entering hastily.
"Your trinkets are your own. Peggy,
and you may hide them under d sofa
pillow II you think that's the safe way.
but leave the funds OF the N. ]. No. 10
TO me-" And be hurried away with the
Utrong box under his arm.
One OF his visitors had volunteered
to help him with the alarm gongs and
with the mooring of the box, and as the
man was carpenter the chance was
too good TO he lost. The box gave no
trouble II was speedily slowed away
In cupboard In the dining room clos
ct But the gongs presented new prob.
lens TO the carpenter and kept him
busy ill past II o'clock. A few min
utcs later young Woodbury. made his
exit by a window Of the parlor. not
daring TO risk the gong at the front
door. and by midnight the house was
dark except for Loyering's room. where
that gentleman was preparing for bed
Lowering wss a member OF the fresh
air cult. Ills windows stood wide open,
and the curtains swung wildly In the
! draft. Two men = the same whom
Woodbury. had seen lurking about In
the afternoon--ob observed the flying cur.
tains, and one OF them climbed into q
tree that had limb extending near 20
one Of the windows. When he descend
cd 10 the ground the light had been ex.
tinglllshed. and Lowering was abed.
THAT guy has got gun" the thief
reported TO his partner. Il seen where
he put H."
"Can you win ~" said the other.
Easy"
Half an hour later Lowering awoke
from his first sleep In the grip Of name
less terror. The noise OF one OF his
curtains, snatched up with q rush by
It's spring, was still In his ears. He
turned toward the window. and against
the misty. phosphorescent brightness
Of the night outside he saw tho black
figure OF a man whose arm was ex-
tended straight toward Iovering's face.
and. there was a dlmly shining object
In his hand.
"You keep quiet said the intruder,
''or you'll get bullet! Sect"
you've got my gunr gasped Lover.
ing
"Yes. have" was the reply. "And
much obliged. I'm sure"
Lowering clnmbered out OF bed In a
daze. wondering what he ought TO say
or do. lie dared not cry ont. There
was no other man In the house Except
the robber who had now entered by the
Window, nnd 10 bring Margaret or
Aunt Martha or the maid upon the
scene was 10 lnaugurate useless mas.
sacre. SO he held his peace while put.
ting on such rnlment as the burglar
advised.
you don't need no coat the keys
are In your trousers"
lie drove Lowering before him like y
docile sheep out OF the room, down t4t
stairs and into the dining room, where
he caused the master of the house to
raise window softly that the second
thief might enter.