The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1906-09-27
TOM BELDEN'S BURGLARY.
By w. 1. ScandlIn.


The familiar number, 100, painted in
white upon the brown stone steps sug-
gested to Tom the lateness of the hour
and unlocking the vestibule door he re-
moved his shoes. Entering the mousse
he softly closed and bolted the door and,
shoes in hand, grouped his way to the
stairs
AS he passed the door at the top of
the flight, he thought he heard some
one moving in his aunt's apartment. he
had placed his foot upon the first step
of the upper flight when a flood of cleo
trio light made the hall as bright as
day.
in its sudden glare Tom saw the gilt
tering barrel of revolver looking IN
his face, and heard the command: Hold
those shoes at arms length, and back
down into that ballroom behind you II
YOU try to escape I'll shoot you dead.
Tom stood aghast. His impulse was
TO run. but as he looked into the muzzle
Of that gun he mechanically obeyed
and. arms at length, shoe dangling
from each hand, and beads of perspira-
tion standing on his forehead, he back
ed into the room, and the key was turn
ed upon him.
He realized that he was in a grave
predicament. He could hear voices In
the hall, and some one speaking into
the telephone, presumably summoning
the police. Could he escape before they
arrived? H could prhaps swing him.
self out on the window ledge and drop
to the pavement but the danger of
broken limbs and an ignominious capt
ure caused him to abandon the idea.
The only other means of exit was by
the door into the hall, and it was lock-
ed Clearly he must remain where he
was until the police came, when he
could explain.
The bell rang. detectiev and two
officers entered.
Good mornin' ma'am. This is Mrs.
Hapgood7 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.. Walters she began,
els CONNECTED with one of the morning
papers. I have telephoned him and he
will be here soon. In his absence 1 am
alone in the house with my maid and
the cook l. retired about half-past
eleven. The cook locked up downstairs
as usual and is certain that every
door and window was secure. 1 was
awakened by some one moving about on
this floor. 1 rose quietly and listened.
/ 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.
We'd better give the chap a chance to
explain before we take him. If he's
crooked, he's the best disguised of any
of 'em I ever seen"
Tell Clancy to bring him in, and you
go downstairs and find out If every
thing is o. X. there
Tom had resumed his shoes, pulled
himself together. and when he entered
the library in charge of officer Clan
cy there was nothing in his appearance
TO suggest the nature of his alleged
profession
you are doubtless warranted, madam
in suspecting men OF evil
intent; but / assure you that l am in
nocent of everything but stupid blum
der that led me to enter your house
instead Of my aunts with whom l am
spending a few days. Her number, 1870
is the same as this. but, as I know now
on the street below. The houses re-
serble each other very closely and
strangely enough, my latch key opened
your door, Here it is You may sat
isfy yourself, officer"
Clancy took the key, went out clos
ing the doors behind him and re-enter-
ed without difficulty.
II can only offer you my most abb
1ect apologies and trust you will ac-
cept my explanation" Tom continued.
Did you find a gun on him, Clancy"
mo, sir; but he's got a good big
wad Of money"