The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-07-30
...1rned MO q

OF the hotel, and out into the night. a
Palace hotel. We did not risk cross
ing the rotunda under the inspection
Of hundred pairs Of eyes, but slipped
inconsplcuonsly into a side door and
up the stairs which Jack lad discov-
cred earlier in the day, Al the door OF
our intended victims suite Of rooms>we
knocked and pleasant voice babe us
enter.
Next moment We stood face to taco
with our doubles. Sir Arthur rose
from his chair and looked at us in sur
prise He was a Clean-limbed, athletic
young fellow with "A strong resoiute,
good -humored face
He whirled on Jack with sudden
diyination of something serious in the
situation-and confronted the business
end of revolver.
Easy Sir Arthur, so easy The
games against you. We hold the
trumps," Belding told him quietly,
1t is perhaps hardly necessary TO say
that had followed the example of my
| chief in covering my man. The BUSH
ness agent sputtered helplessly and
backed to the wall in alarm.
What's the meaning of ths?" asked
| Hornbrooke curtly.
"A little surprise party for you" an
swered Jack sauyely, his steady eyes
meeting those of the baronet
III it's robbery you mean, my man, |
hope you won't make any unnecessary
delay abou. it. have an engagement
al eight, he said.
Don't worry about it, Sir Arthur.
That has been arranged for. The audi
ence will not he disappointed if we can
help it," Bedding reassursd him. Now.
Tommie, get down 10 business"
| pocketed my revolver and began
arranging the rope Hornbrooke grew
rigid, You re not going to tie me?"
he asked
sorry to inconvenience you, but
I'm afraid it's necessary. III leave
word at the Office to have a bellboy call
at H."
Hornbrooke shrugged, and | slipped
the moose over his head, tied him
scientifically to his chair, so that he
could move neither hand nor foot
| did the same for Ashton, After
had gagged them both / brushed my
clothes carefully and rearranged my
wig in the looking-glsss.
My chief locked the door behind us,
and we went down In the elevator.
From the hotel we crossed the street
to Trinity church. ! made my way TO
the chairman of the lecture bureau
committee and remained with him for
30 minutes in the improvised box office.
When | left him | carried with me in
my hand satchel into the body of the
church 1915 35 as our share of the pro-
ceeds OF the lecture.
The lecture was already well under
way, and Jack had worked himself into
an actors enthusiasm that would have
deceived anybody. He looked the part
to admiration.
The church was warm, and the win
dow at which | sat CHANGED to be
open. From outside there came 10 me
snatch of talk that brought me 10
instant life | got up from my seat,
looked ostentatiously at my watch, and
walked to the platform Jack stopped
to listen to my warning whisper
For heavens sake. stop. We're
trapped Jack. The police are watch
ing every door of the building | told
him hurriedly.
He nodded quietly. Then he an
nounced without a tremor in his voice
that his business manager had told
him they had barely time to catch
their train. If the audience would
kindly excuse him he would close at
once. Yet another moment, and we
opened the side door mentioned Two
blue-coated policemen barred the way
They've got the fellows, Jack ex-
planned hurriedly The captain wants
you both to come into the church at
once The people talk of making
trouble"
The officers stepped in We swung
round corner into a dark alley and |
out into the bright shine of the street
beyond.
Into another alley between high Of
flee blocks we went and emerged at
Sixteenth. The rattle Of a policeman
in front sent MS down a side street pack
to Seventeenth. In the distance we
could hear the gong of a patrol wagon
tearing from headquarters.
This will never do. The whole
force is out after US. Well have TO
separate. Tommie." painted Jack
They're hemming US In. Get rid OF
those whiskers and board an out-of-
town car. You can come in on an
other line later.
When | finally returned to our
hotel / found Jack lying on the
sofa in delicious ease, smoking "A
Havana and reading the evening
paper. he looked up without the
least apparent concern as the
door opened. Hello" he said. Il
see Won hung on TO the dough. Tom
mic. Good boy, Wonder how the
cops came to tumble TO our li'us
game"