The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-12-04

REVOLVER
ed. Clearly he must remain where he
was until the police came, when he
could explain.
The bell rang. A detective and two
officers entered
Good morning, ma Jam. This is Mrs.
Hapgood? Sergeant says you've got a
burglar here under lock and key"
YES, 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. 1 have telephoned
him. and he will be here soon. In his
absence am alone in the house with
my maid aud the cook. l retired about
half past H. The cook locked up
downstairs, as usual, and is certain
that every door and window was Sc
cure. l was awakened by some one
moving about on this floor. 1 rose
quietly and listened l waited till
knew by the sound that the villain was
just at the foot of the second flight,
and then I turned on the lights, faced
him with my revolver and quickly had
him locked In the hall room"
You're to be complimented, ma'am,
on your nerve" commented the officer.
The officers came down the stairs
with Tom between them There's a
mistake here, sir" said one of them
WED better give the chap chance
to explain before we take him In. II
he's crooked, he's the best disguised
Of any of 'em ever seen"
Tell Clancy to bring him in, and you
so downstairs and find out II every
thing is o. X. there"
Tom had resumed his shoes and pulled
himself together, and when he entered
the library in charge of Oflcer Clancy
there was nothing in his appearance to
suggest the nature Of his alleged pro-
fession.
You are doubtless warranted, mad
am, Ia suspectlng men Of evil intent,
but l assure you l am innocent Of ev-
erything but a stupid blunder that led
me to enter your house instead Of my
aunt's, with whom l am spending a
few days. Her number, 120, Is the
same as this, but, as I know now, on
the street below The houses resem-
BILE each other very closely, and,
strangely enough, my latchkey opened
your door. Here 1t Is. You may salts
~ yourself, officer"
Clancy took the key, went out clos
ing both doors behind him, and re-
entered without difficulty.
II can only offer you my most alb
ject apologies and trust you Will &C
cept my explanation, Tom continued.
Did you ind gun on him, Clancy7"
asked the detective.
mo. sir, but he's got good big wad
Of money"
do you know, ma'am, if your mon
ey's safe?r
eyes, it's untouched in the drawer OF
my dresser"
This Is no new scheme, ma'am, but
I'm strongly inclined to think that in
this case the gent is straight. If the
people on the next street identify him
we can let him go. But Of course If
you say the word Wen pull him In
now"
NO; give him a chance to clear him
self, but be sure before you let him
CO."
Tom now breathed freely. He knew
that a 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 downstairs
and, stepping to Toms side, reported:
There's a pane of glass out of the
rear extension window. The back door
is open and the swag's all tied up in
the tablecloth in the dining room, and
Here the maid, entering excitedly. In
terrupted. I'm sure, ma'am," she
gasped, II just heard some one moving
in your roomF'
'There's two of 'em, boys" whisper
ed the detective. Fit them bracelets. ;"
And Tom was handeuffed. CLANCY, go
quietly upstairs and cover the door to
the roof. Brady, watch the FIRE es-
cape" Then, turning to Tom, you
walk quietly ahead of me, and If you
give any signal I'll make you look like
the outside ring Of target after pistol
nSaAsina"