The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-10-12

tones. 81 won't. though" he repeated.
The silence then was electrical. The
two men, tense as steel, stood glaring at
each other.
| You WON'T" The burglars attitude
seemed to be more tense. You won't !"
Il would-to save my life" said Van
Nesten, "but it's not necessary. If you
kill me you'll have murder as we'll as
house breaking to answer for-besides
being no nearer to getting the safe open.
And it might make a noise" he added.
The burglar stood tor an unpleasant,
concentrated moment, and then he
seemed to grow little less intense. He
relaxed and uttered curse.
Throw up your hands," he snapped.
"I'll do that" said Van Nesten, and he
did.
The burglar put down his lantern and
produced from his pocket piece of stout
cord. He leaped into chair. Come
here" he said, with vicious curtness.
"Backwardsn'
Van Nesten, turning about, endeavored
to comply.
Hands together!" said the burglar,
when he had him satisfactorily stationed.
Van Nesten's hands came together; and
the burglar rapidly wound round and
round them at the wrists with an end of
| his cord. The cold nozzle of his revolye
pressed lightly against Van Nesten's
neck.
mo monkey business" the intruder
cautioned by way of general admonition,
as he drew it away. And then he tied
Van Nesten's hands.
He stepped down from the chair then
and directed Van Nesten to climb up in
his place. Then he bound the young
mans ankles together. He was strong
burglar and he bound them exceedingly
well.
This done. he backed off and regarded
his work. Van Nesten stood with his
back to him, in perfectly helpless posi-
ton. He could not even get to the floor
without severe risk of injury. The bur
glar walked round and faced him
II amt going to gag you" he growled.
You understand II you make a noise
what it will be-a personal risk to NE
| You understand that?
Il understand" said Van Nesten.
That's the reason I'm tied. Itwon't be
necessary to gag me"
The burglar grunted.
Its also unnecessary to keep me
standing up here" went on Van Nesten
boldly. Take hold of my elbow" he
said, land steady me so can jump
down"
The burglar glared at him an instant
in amazement, and then suddenly jerked
himself forward and seized him by the
arm.
Jump" he said roughly.
When Van Nesten came down to the
floor again the burglar gave him a whrl
about, and pushed him over into the
chair. They regarded one another
steadily, then the burglar turned away.
Keep your face shut now, will you?"
he said, and went to pick up his lantern
again.
He approached the big iron safe as
man approaches his chosen work. Van
Nesten watched him making his arrange
ments-inspecting, tapping and finger
ing about-as deity, accurately and
readily as a skilful artisan.
He never paused for an instant and his
tools seemed ready to his hand. Finally
he prepared something with a few sharp
clicks, and then he dropped down to his
knees and began to work-drilling.
Van Nesten did not at all enjoy his
situation, but the pain from his thongs
soon gave way to numbness, and then
he did not suffer so much. The only
sound for several moments was the dull
grind of the burglars drill.
Suddenly the burglar stopped his work
and began to snuff at the air. He laid
down his tools and raised his face to-
ward the ceiling.
"By Cod" he cried excitedly, and sprang
to his feet. whats this smoker"
Van Nesten not only smelled it. but
saw that it was pouring into the room
through the open door.
This place is afre!" said the burglar.
Like a flash Van Nestens mind went
back and he remembered himself drunken
ly ascending those stairs and lighting
matches to try and find the way. He re-
membered now that when he had entered
the office there had been no match left in
his pocket. He gave a great wrench at
his thongs-but they held him fast. Van
Nesten groaned.
The burglar was down on the floor
again, gathering up his implements. He
was DETER and quicker now than ever,
and Van Nesten, in a cold sweat, sat
watching him.
The burglars tools clinked and jingled
together as he slowed them away. Then
he suddenly leaped to his feet and faced
Van Nesten.
"Shoot me-strangle me-do some
thing" cried Van Nesten. For Gods
sake don't leave me here like this"
But the burglar had not hesitated an
instant. His hand had been in his pocket
even as he rose from the floor, and a
knife cleaned as he advanced with a
rush.
Stab me, them" said Van Nesten
wildly. stab ME, then! Don't leave
me here to roastn'
"What." cried the burglar. He re-
cooled from those words as suddenly as
if he had been hit. An upward motion
tore the mask from his face, and aghast
he glared at Van Nesten.
my Cod mani" he said what you
think l ann"
The rising smoke eddied between them.
But the burglar recovered himself al
most instantly.
You're scarf" he said, land l don't
blame you"
With two def strokes of his knife he
severed the cords that bound Van Mes
tens hands and feet. Then he stepped
back and thrust the knife in his pocket
ITS up to YOU" he said How are we
going to get out of here"
Van Nesten passed hand across his
| forehead and staggered to his feet. He
stepped to the door and the burglar
quickly followed