Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-02-17

Il ne vice president was lnCredulOus,
but willing to let the fellow try. If he
succeeded they would pay him some
thing handsome. OF course it would
be impossible. Their safe was one Of
the best Even experts would doubt
less use tools. Still, he might try.
Sands was picking beans when
found him-Sefton Sands was the name
he had given me. He put down his
pan to listen.
Il want you to do it, Sands-for me.
That bank was against me in the cleo
ton. am likely TO need them by and
by"
What make of safe is it," he asked,
as we hurried along.
| told him. He smiled.
That's rather different job from
those toy locks of yours"
But you'll do it,"
'I'll try. Stranger things have hap.
pened"
We had reached the bank by this
time. Sands walked directly over to
the safe, merely nodding to the vice
president. The bankers smile was a
mixture of liberation and contempt.
well" he laughed, Il suppose you
can open it,"
Sands laid his fingers on the lock,
but made no reply.
Pretty good safe, eh?' sneered the
banker.
Perhaps Sands was bit annoyed.
"Oh, yes" he admitted, pleasantly.
Pretty good old bread box; but
wouldn't keep cookies in it, il were
you.
The banker flushed.
"0h, you wouldn't! Well, I'll just
give you a hundred dollar bill if you
open that old bread box!"
Perhaps Sands did not hear him. lie
was bending very close to the combina-
ton knob, beginning to turn it with
(his tapering, sentient fingers. Some.
how we all became still, watching
those marvellous fingers as if fascin-
ated. The way they slipped and crept
and lowered about the secret of that
nickel disc wrought spell of silence
upon the little group of watchers.
Something in it all suggested the cat
stealing noiselessly upon its prey. It
was almost hypnotic.
Presently the fingers hesitated,
ceased. A wave of disappointment
swept in upon me. A smile grew on
the bankers face.
For an instant only--the cat had but
gathered for the final spring. So fast
the eye could not follow, the fingers
sent the revolving disc spinning to the
right. An instant's pause, and Sec
ond spinning, to the left-shorter this
time. Then once more to the right
to the left-to the right-a slight
clicking sound, and Sands stood facing
u.s.
Your safe is unlocked, sir. will
allow you to open it."
1t was on the night before court
opened that | went quietly down the
corridor to his cell. His lamp was lit
but looking in | could not see him.
Rather eagerly unlocked the door.
Sands cell was empty, and note lay
under the shaded lamp.
Dear Sheriff. and Friend grleyes
me to go without saying good-by, but
do not wish to embarrass you with
further responsibility. As it is, your
conscience may rest clear | was not
trying to enter that house last spring;
| wished only to open the door of your
acquaintance. For reasons | will not
explain, my supply of funds was low
and temporary seclusion desirable. [
needed quiet summer retirement where
could complete certain plans and eX-
change light exercise for summer
board. You have treated me like a
gentleman, and in return | have only
| been able TO keep your garden in Or
der, and to oblige you in the little mat
ter of the bankers safe, which, though
having no wish to be in the public
eye, was willing to undertake at your
request. The bankers reward will car
ry me to where ! have reason to be-
lieve there is piece of art work need
ed that is likely to pay very well.
Please keep the little bunch of an
tiques-some people might call tAem
keys-as a memento of our friendship.
They were only intended to unlock
your sympathy. Put with them, for
contrast, the inclosed, from yours
gratefully,
'Sefton Sands"
shook the envelope and something
fell out. 1t was a slender piece of steel
wire. sharp at the ends, half circular
in form, probably to fit some hiding
place. 1t seemed very stiff, yet ap-
peared to have been variously bent and
Strengthened. | worked with it for an
hour-bending, Strengthening and
twisting it in the cell lock. 1t was Of
no avail in my clumsy fingers. |
should have remained imprisoned
through the ages had my release de-
pended on that bit of steel.
A week later the papers were filled
with accounts of the great burglary Of
the Metropolitan National. 1t was
without parallel in the history of bank
robberies. A tunnel requiring months
TO construct had eliminated with a
piece of lock work of such surprising
skill that bankers, detectives and safe
manufacturers were alike appalled,. A
vast sum of money had been obtained.
read these accounts with interest,
and rather guiltily telegraphed Sands
description. Nothing came of it. The
burglars we're never captured, and
my conclusions may have been quite
absurd. Yet | have somehow always
connected the affair of the Metropol-
itan National with the piece of art
work" referred to by Seton Sands,
Generally Admitted.