Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-17

there was nothing in his appearance to
suggest the nature of his alleged pro
fession
You are doubtless warranted, mad
am, In suspecting men OF evil intent,
but | assure you I am innocent Of ev-
erything but a stupid blunder that led
me to enter your house instead Of my
aunts, with whom / am spending a
few days Her number, 100, is the
same as this but. as | know now, on
the street below The houses resem-
lie each other very closely. and,
tr&ngcly enough, my Iatchkey opened
yeGr door. Here it IS. You may salts
f. yourself, officer"
Clancy tool: the key, went out clos
ing both doors behind him, ana re-
f"tered without difficulty.
Il can only offer you my most alb
ct apologies and trust you Will ac-
ypt my explanation" Tom continued.
Did you find gun on him, Clancy|
s,icd lie detective.
No, air, but he's got a good big wad
Of monry."
Do y1u know, ma'am, if your mon
H!s sa e?'
Yes IS untouched in the drawer Of
~ dresser"
ns is no new scheme, ma'am, but
IA strongly inclined to think that in
|. $ Csc the gent is straight. If the
T. >. Ie oa the next street identify him
ye can let him go But Of course If
y u sly the word we'll pull him in
4,w."
No; give him a chance to clear him
syif. but he sure before you let him
g."
Tom nov breathed freely. He knew
tint few inquiries would set him
$: "a git, but lie had greatly feared that
n night he locked up While they were
beiTs maze.
The officer returned from downstairs
and, topping to Toms side, reported:
There's a pane Of glass out of the
r.Ir extension window. The back door
IS Cp"n and the swag's all tied up in
tie laLlecloth in the dining room, and
l. 1t lut MA III, tultilIlr CANlACull, liz
terup' ed. I'm sure, maam," she
gasped, Il just heard some one moving
in your room.
There's two of 'em. boys" whisper
ed the detective. Fit them bracelets"
And Tom was handcuffed. 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 a target after pistol
practice
Instantly the situation became clear
to Tom. but he knew his best course
was II obey. so he started down the
hall and quietly preceded the officer
~ ih2 stairs
At the top of the flight the detective
stopped and listened Suddenly push
ing open the door of Mrs. Hapgood's
room. he covered with his revolver the
real burglar. who was pilfering the
dressc
Here. Clancy" he shouted, put the
nippers on this man and take EN- both
dOwnStairs"'
They We're halfway down when the
front door opened and a tall, middle
aged man Of fine appearance entered.
He was evidently prepared for the stu
atiOn ana was about to speak to the Of
ficer when, seeing Tom, he stepped for
ward and extending his hand, ex.
claimed:
Hello. Belden. How in the name Of
conscience did you come here, and
what's all this about anyway"
Excuse me. Mr. Walters" answered
Tom, IF ! give you both my hands.
It's difficult to differentiate just now,
but If you can prove your identity and
establish mine you'll put me under
eternal obligations" Then, turning to
the officer; Say, man, don't you think
can get along without these orna-
ments now? I've helped you to catch
real thief, and it's time you let up"
"Why, you See," said Mr.. Waters to
his sister after the officers had gone
with their prisoner, Il have known
Tom Belden for years. He used to be
our Boston correspondent
Then he turned to Tom.
Come on, my boy: let's 20 down to
the dining room and see If that drafted
thief left any cigars on the sldeboard.
I'll keep YOU with me until think it
safe 10 lnt YOU out You might have
f.. G., t,'-..' e t-f'n" the right 100"