The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-20
TIE EVENING story
Toln BeIden's BurgIary.

STU 0uA0CAE0 TIC NC2AADAAC
door he removed his shoes Entering
the house, he softly closed and bolted
the door, and, shoes in hand, CROPPED
l his way to the stairs.
As he passed the door at the top
OF the flight he thought he heard
| some one moving in his aunt's apart
ment. He had placed his foot upon
the first step Of the upper flight when
a food OF electric light made the hall
as bright as day.
In its sudden glare Tom saw the
glittering barrel OF a revolver looking
IN his face, and heard the command.
Hold those shoes at arms length
and back down into that hall room be-
hind you. If you try to escape III
shoot you dead"
Tom stood aghast. His impulse was
to run, but as he looked into the muz-
zle OF that gun he mechanically obey
ed, and, arms at length, shoe dan
Cling from each hand. and beads OF
perspiration standing on his forehead,
he backed into the room, and the key
was turned upon him.
he realized that he was IN & grave
predicament. He could hear voices in
the hall, and some one speaking into
the telephone, presumably summon
ing the police. Could he escape be-
fore they arrived? He could perhaps
swing himself out on the window
ledge and drop to the pavement, but
the danger of broken limbs and an
ignominious capture caused him to
abandon the idea. The only other
means of exit was by the door into
the hail. and 1t was locked. Clearly
he must remain where he was until
the police came, when he could ex-
plain.
The bell rang. A detective and two
officers entered.
Good mornin', ma'am. This is
Mrs. Hapgood? Sergeant says you've
a hrrrc 1TE6nr lock and
Eyes. officer, he's on the next floor
in the hall ROOM
GO up and fetch him." said the de-
tective, and the two officers mounted
the Stairs. Mrs. Hapgood preceded
the detective into the library.
MY brother, Mr.. Waters, she be-
gan. SIS connected with one OF the
morning papers. / have telephoned
him and he will be here soon. In his
absence I am alone in the house with
my maid and the cook. retired about
half-past eleven. The cook locked up
downstairs as usual. and IS certain that
every door and window was secure
was awakened by some one moving
about on this floor I rose quietly and
listened I waited till I knew by the
sound that the villain was just at the
foot of the second flight, and then 1
turned on the lights, faced him with
my revolver. and quickly had him
locked in the hall ROOM
You're to be comp limented, ma am,
on your nerve" commented the Of
icer.
The officers came down the stairs
with Tom between them There's
mistake here, sir" said one of them.
Wed better give the chap a chance
to explain before we take him in If
he's crooked. he's the best disguised
of any of 2em I ever seem
TELL Clancy to bring him in. and
you go downstairs and find out If
everything IS o. K there"
Tom had resumed his shoes, pulled
himself together, and when he entered
the library in charge of Ofncer Clancy
there was nothing in his appearance to
suggest the nature of his alleged pro-
fession.
you are doubtless warranted,
madam. in suspecting men of evil i'm
tent; but 1 assure you I am innocent
of everything but a stupid blunder
that led me to enter your house in
stead of my aunt's, with whom I am
spending q few days. Her number.
100, is the same as this, but as
know now. on the street below. The
houses resemble each other very close
". and, strangely enough, my latch
key opened your door, Here It is. You
may satisfy yourself, officer
Clancy took the key. went out. clos
ing both doors behind him and re-
entered without difficulty
81 can only offer you my most alb
JeCL apologies ana Trust you Will &c
cept my explanation" Tom continued
Did you. find a gun on him,
C1ancy2s asked the detective.
NO. sir; but he's got good big
wad of money"
:. DO y0a =. y know. ma'am. if your
YES. It's untouched in the drawer
of my dresser"
This is no new scheme. ma'an, but
I'm strongly inclined to think that in
4- fe. e-+~ 4r-1-k ~
people on the next street identify him
we can let him go. But of course, If
you say the word, we'll pull him in
now"
himself but be sure before you let him
Tom now breathed freely. He knew
that few inquiries would set him
straight, but he had greatly feared
that he might be locked up while they
were being made.
The officer returned from down
stairs and stepping to Toms side, re-
ported:
There's pane of glass out of the
rear extension window. The back door
is open and the swag's all tied UP in
the table cloth in the dinin' room
and - Here the maid, entering, ex-
citedIy interrupted. I'm sure. ma am, p
she gasped, IT just heard some one
moving in your room!"
There's two of EN-. boys. whfs-
pered the detective. Eft them brace
let's and Tom was handcuffed.
Clancy, go quietly upstairs and cover
the door to the roof. Brady. watch the
hre-escape." Then turning to Tom. |
s'X gu walk quietly ahead of me and If
you give any signal, I'll make you look
like the outside ring Of a target after
pistol practice"
Instantly the situation became clear
to Tom. but he knew his best course
was to obey. so he started down the
hall and quietly preceded the officer
up the stairs.
At the top of the flight the detective
stopped and listened. Suddenly push
room. he covered with his revolver. the
real burglar who was pilfering the
dresser.
Here C1ancyv' he shouted. s.n4,t =,