Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-01-11

loss use tools. Still, he might try.
Sands was picking beans when !
found him-Sefton Sands was the name
he had given me. He put down hial
pan to listen. TX,
Il want you to do 1t, Sands for me.
That bank was against me in the cleo
ton. am likely to need them by and
bly," \,
What make Of safe is TT" he asked,
as we hurried along.
told him. He smiled.
"That's rather a different job from
those toy locks of yours
But you'll do It'll"
"I'll try. Stranger things have hap
pened."
We had reached the bank by this
time. Sands walked directly over to
the safe, merely nodding to the vice
president. The bankers smile was o
mixture Of liberation and contempt.
"Well." he laughed, Il suppose you
aan open it."
Sands laid his fingers on the lock,
but made no reply.
pretty good safe, chr sneered the
banker.
Perhaps Sands was bit annoyed.
"oh. yes" he admitted, pleasantly.
pretty good old bread box; but !,
wouldn't keep cookies in II, II were
you" "
The banker flushed.
"Oh, you wouldn't! Well, I'll Just
give you hundred dollar bill If you
open that old bread box!" S. a.
Perhaps Sands did not hear him, ESAs
was bending very close to the combfna- y
ton knob, beginning to turn 1t with
(his tapering, sentient fingers. Some.
how we all became still, watching
those marvellous fingers as II fascin.
ated. The way they slipped and crept
and lowered about the secret of that
nickel disc wrought a spell of silence
upon the little group Of watchers.
in 1t all suggested the cat
stealing noiselessly upon Its prey. It
was almost hypnotic.
Presently the fingers hesitated,
ceased, A wave Of disappointment
swept in upon me. A smile grew on
the bankers face.
For an instant only--the cat had but
gathered for the final spring. So fast
he eye could not follow, the fingers
sent the revolving disc spinning to the
right. An instant's pause, and sec
1nd spinning, to the left-shorter this
lime. Then once more to the right
% the left-to the right--a slight
clicking sound, and Sands stood facing
Is.
your safe is unlocked, sir. Will
Lllow you to open it."
1t was on the night before court
'pened that / went quietly down the
corridor to his cell. His lamp was lit
but looking in / could not see him.
rather eagerly unlocked the door.
lands cell was empty, and note lay
nder the shaded lamp.
Dear Sheriff, and Friend:-It grievea
ne to go without saying good-by, but
do not wish to embarrass you with
Irther responsibility, AS 1t is, your
conscience may rest clear, I was not
rying to enter that house last spring;
wished only to open. the door Of your
For reasons will not
xplain, my supply Of funds was low
nd temporary seclusion desirable.
eeded quiet summer retirement where
could complete certain plans and *
hange light exercise for summer
GARD. You have treated me like a
entleman, and in return | have only
cen able to keep your garden in or
er, and to oblige you in the little mat
II of the bankers safe, which, though
aving no wish to be in the public
re, was willing to undertake at your
.quest The bankers reward will car
r me to where have reason to be"
eve there Is piece Of art work need
that is likely to pay very well.
lease keep the little bunch Of an
ques-some people might call them
5yb-db . mCAuGubO VI Jul hACAA@AAEs
hey were only intended to unlock
,ur sympathy. Put with them, for
'ntrast, the inclosed, from yours
atefully,
Seton Sands"
l shook the envelope and something
II out. 1t was a slender piece Of steel
Ire, sharp at the ends, half circular
form, probably to at some hidlEy
ace. It seemed very still, YET W
AIRED to have been variously bent and
heightened. worked with It for an
Strengthening and
listing 1t in the cell lock. It was Of
avail in my clumsy fingers.
ould hav, remained imprisoned
rough the ages had my release de-
nded on that bit Of steel,
A week later the papers we're filled
ID accounts Of the great burglary Of
3 Metropolitan National It was
thout parallel in the history Of bank
bberies. A tunnel requiring Months
construct had eliminated with .
Ice Of lock work Of such surprising
II that bankers. detectives and safe
Inufacturers were alike appalled,. A
& sum ofimoney had been obtained
read these accounts with interest,"
=