The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-11-22
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Burglar" said l. (For all my ap-
parent GOODNESS, my heartbeats were
away up in the eightiesD
The girl snuggled close to my side.
| could feel her heart beating even
faster than mine
Burglar" I repeated.
Indeed, no, sir, - eproachfully.
Mine is a political job
"A political job?" thunderstruck.
Eyes, sir; | am an inspector Of eel
lars, grimly. Il couldn't get around
to this here cellar earlier in the day,
sir, and fellows work must be done"
Here was burglar with the sense
of humor.
What can I do for your" I asked
blandly.
Firstly, as they say, you might tell
me what you and this lady are doing
in this lonesome cellar"
Say sir when you address me-.
Yes, sir"
The lady and I were playing hide
and-seek"
*Nice game. sir, "-grinning. Were
you trying to hide under the coal?"
ooh, no; was merely exploring it."
Say sir when you address me-"
"Sir."
You're cool hand, sir"
Il am gratitied to learn that our ad-
miration Is mutual. But what are you
doing here?"
Il was ascertaining if the law was
properly observed, sir shaking with
silent laughter.
But what puzzles me-" I went on,
us the fact that you could gather the
gems in that garb." For I was posi-
tive that this was the Galloping Dick
every one was looking for.
Il don't understand word you say,
sir. I'm an inspector of cellars, sir,
not a jeweler So you and the lady
was playing hide-and-seek? Come,
now, what is your graft? Is all the
push here tonight"
THAT depends, -cursing under my
breath that / wore a gown which ham
pered my movements. For, truth to
tell, / was watching him as a cat
watches a mouse.
"Wen, sir, we of the profession
never interferes with gentlemanly
jobs, sir. All l want of you is to help
me out of here"
II am not burglar"
ooh, l understand, sir; understand
completely. A gentleman is always
a gentleman, sir Now. you can re-
turn to that coal bin. was just about
to make for it when you lit that can
die"
why not leave by the cellar
doors?"
4 have my reasons, sir; most salts
factory reasons, sir. l prefer the win
dow. Get along!"-his tones suddenly
hardening.
| got along.
THE lady may sit down, sir" he
said courteously.
Thank you, will" replied the girl
| pumping down on an empty winecase
(She afterward confessed that If she
had not sat down on the box, she would
have sat down on the cellar floor, as {
sort of paralysis had seized her knees
l stepped into the coal bin and rested
the candle on the little shelf for tina
purpose I was downright anxious Il
see the fellow safely away. Their,
wasn't room in that cellar for tn,
three of US. His presence doubly en-
dangered us and multiplied the com
plications | was in no position t
force the gems from him. A man WIZ
has ten thousand dollars worth 0
jewels on his person doesn't stop a
shooting; and / possessed health,
regard for my skin. opened the win
dow and caught 1t to the ceiling by
hook | found there.
There is a stout screen, my man.
Take this, sir. and cut it out -
handing me q pair of wire clippers
holding his lantern under his arr
meanwhile The muzzle of the re
volver. during all this time, neve
wavered in its aim at my head
/ went to work at the screen an
presently it fell inward.
Is that satisfactory in
pressive irony.
You are the most perfect gentle
man that ever see, sir!
The girl laughed Historically.
Now what?" The fun was begin
ming to pail on me-
Step out of the bin and stand aside
Sit down by the lady. Maybe she's
bit frightened"
] obeyed him to the letter.
'Thanksl" With the agility of
cat he leaped up and wriggled throug
the window. He turned. Good nigh
sir. Sometime maybe I'll do the sam
for you, sir
Go to the devfl!" snarled.
My, my What q temper, sir!
wouldn't have thought it of you. and
nice lady in speaking distance"
He disappeared.
The girl laid hand on my arm.
You have acted very sensibly, NJ
: Comstalk. If you had not, it is quit
certain he would have shot you"