The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-07

two" as I carefully opened the front | gate and made my way to the rear
 door. I was pretty well acquainted
 with the premises and you sec the
 boss wasn't looking for me. that's a cinch. On this particular occasion l l had counted on being on hand by Il o'clock, but I had just got back to | what beastly time those freights make. | If I hadn't had my eye on the place | for some time. I couldn't have made myself so much at home. As I turned the corner of a little latticed arbor, I was astounded to see
 the shadowy form of a man standing at the back door. with the light from dark lantern shining on the key-hole, into which he was fitting what I nat uarlly supposed was a skeleton key. Hello. here's competition" I nut tered under my breath, for knew he wasn't the man of the house. Now had not started out with any intention of forming any partnerships and I had no intention of permitting anybody else to go into the house If could help it. You can't be too soft and gentel about these matters. so without entering into wearisome de- tails, will simply say that a stin clip under the ear, a rather strenuous grip on his windpipe and a few enthusias- tic efforts to find his solar plexus re- duced my unknown friend to Q con dition where I could easily dump him into the woodshed and tie him with a piece of rope I found handy. had determined in my own mind to attend to my friends case after had transacted little business in the house. I thought 1t would be a good joke to turn him over to the police if could give the tip without disclosing any more of my affairs than I cared to.
 But I had hardly got them entirely under my influence when I heard second man cautiously coming around the house. And still they come" muttered- it seemed to me I had to do good deal of muttering that night, but l couldn't shout very welA could I? It just happened that I didn't have a gun with me. am not one of those who believe 1t is necessary to carry gun on all occasions. It was therefore up to me to act quickly.
 Hastily divesting my friend of his coat and cap. I tossed my own into a corner of the shed and met the newcomer at the door. could see gun in his hand by the light of his lanter.
 Hello, Bill, that you?" he whisper ed. or rather growled.
 Yes it's me-" I grunted like I had heard williams grunt on the stage.
 Come on then" he snarled, what did you keep me waiting for?"
 Something's the matter with the door" grumbled. Let's go to the front door"
 T hain't got no Key to the front door"
 "Well, I kave," said. hoarsely. "I've got keys thatll unlock any door in the house."
 why in"-well. he asked me why hadn't said so before. but made no further comment. pulled out a bunch of keys and after some time I sue ceeded in getting the door open. It was part of my plan 70 beat him at his own game. get him Into the house, get his gun away from him and then fix him so that I wouldn't have any more trouble with him. but could go about my business in peace.
 You know where the silver is?" he whispered as we threaded our way through the hall into the library and then into the dining room.
 I replied that I was pretty well &C., uuainted with the lay of the land. Then I began a cautious search for something I needed In my business very badly just then. I thought there ought to be a revolver about the place somewhere, but in rummaging around I touched the electric light Sever and the room was flooded with light in an instant.
 Jenkins-I found afterwards his name was Jenkins-uttered curse and then his eyes fell on my face.
 tWhY, you ain't Bill!" he exclaimed