The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-03
7nr EVENING ST0R r
Luck and a Woman.
NV Fred Meers.)

the manager. I'VE have put some OF
our best men on the matter, but they
can tell as nothing. II we do not
manage to locate the cause OF these
robberles we might IS well go out OF
business
'.IslI do what I can promised IAN
vers. but If Symes and Taylor nave
given up the case, / don't see where
Neither do l." admitted the man
ager frankly, except that you seem
to have fools luck and sometimes
that Is better than good detective IN
stinct"
Danvers bowed at the doubtful COM
pliment and took himself Off There
might be something in that luck
theory. Since going to work for the
burglary insurance people he had
more than once stumbled against
clue that developed into conviction;
But this promised to be harder
case than usual, and after he had IN
terviewed the Watchmen who were on
the night Job and the men who had
been working on the case It seemed
hopeless.
The burglary insurance included the
services of night Waterman ana q
burglar alarm system Nothing seemed
to be the matter with either Of these,
and yet the block on Seaton place had
been repeatedly robbed.
Of late a special patrolman haQ
been assigned to the block. and all
night long he had tramped from one
end of the short street to the other.
Seaton place was only block long, a
fashionable residence block, that Of
fered rich returns to the men who had
systematically looted the houses.
None had seen them go in or out,
though strict watch had been kept.
Once they had even placed man in
each back yard to make certain that
no oae could enter through the rear,
" DURING uaaIr 0f Sn6Cfal
precaution three of the houses had
been robbed.
The owners were of the ultra Eng
lish set, who seldom came to town
from their country places until after
the opera season set in, and already
the company stood to lose the better
part of its capital in paying of its
losses.
Danvers, looking about for coign
Of vantage, hit upon a theatrical board
ing house at the rear Of the block.
Here he obtained a rear room. and for
several nights he kept vigil The moon
was in It's last quarter, and it was not
always easy to keep watch. but he sat
porting into the dusk looking to see
some one jump the line of fences and
attack the houses, from the rear. That
entrance was effected from the rear he
was certain, because the watch from
the front was too strict to be evaded.
1t was the fifth night that, happening
to look up, he perceived a shadow cross
ing the sky line of the houses. He
rubbed his eyes that were dropping
with sleep, but he still saw the shadow
advancing toward the opposite roof.
They can't have flying machine,
he muttered to himself. If they have
it's no wonder the boys couldn't locate
and have a better look
He stole out of the room and up the
stairs to the roof. The trap was left
open in pleasant weather to ventilate
h sir he eli 1e,d
softly through the scuttle hole he al
most lost his balance.
Standing on the edge of the roof was
a second man. and even as Danvers
looked he stepped out over the edge Of
the roof and glided toward the oppo-
site side
There was a third figure, a woman's,
and Danvers waited a moment to see If
she, too, would essay walking upon the
air, but she made no effort to follow
her companions example. and at last
the detective slipped through the open
ing and crept softly behind her.
With a bound he was upon her and
had slapped his hand over her mouth
before she could make cutlery Even in
the dim light he could recognize her as
one of a trio of acrobats he had noticed
at the tables. More than once he had
sought to attract her attention, for she
was a remarkably pretty girl, but the
two men with her resented even a look,
and kept such close guard over her that
there udQ DGCn III %AldA4NC ~ AA4aEAC LCA
acquaintance.
what are you up to?" he demand
ed roughly. Il am a detective
"Fhey thought you were" she
gasped, as he raised his hand to per-
NIT her to reply. Don't let them
catch me will youe They have gone
to rob the houses.
But how?'' he asked, curiously.
They seem to walk on air"
They used to be wire walkers she
Z -T.-s- --f. Ill
afterward. They are walking on the
telegraph wires"
''They won't hold up" he scoffed
Yes, they will" she persisted. lover
here they have fastened them. and they
are strong on the other side. It's easier
to walk on a slack wire than on a
tight one, you know. This gives just
the right sag"
But how DO they bring the stuff
back ?" he persisted.
wait, and you will see,' she eau
toned
Danvers slipped behind a chimney.
and presently the pair returned push
/ ing before them a wheeibarrow with a
groOved wheel. One of them carried a
japanese umbrella. painted black, with
which he preserved their balance while
the other pushed. They dumped their
| load on the roof and turned back.
When they had disappeared down one
of the scuttles on the other sides Dan
vers stepped out again.
How long have you been with these
men % he demanded You don't look
like their sort
They were with a circus" she ex-
planned. Il ran away with Jim, that's
/ the smaller one. He watches me SO
that do not have a chance to get away
/ from him.
rs this a regular trick?'' he demand
ed. She shook her head.
/ Business is bad this year. The boys
can't get work. They were fooIing one
night on the roof and found that tho
wire was strong enough to bear them.
They used to carry me in the wheel
barrow In the show, and they got the
| idea Of robbing the houses. They cut
l the alarm wire, and can come and &c
/ as they please. When the men were
watching they walked right over their
heads"