The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-27


to explain before we take him in. If
he's crooked, he's the best disguised
Of any Of EN- I ever seen"
Tell Clancy TO bring him IN, and you
so downstairs and find out IL every
thing is o. X. there
Tom had resumed his shoes and pulled
himself together, and when he entered
the library IN charge OF Officer Clancy
there was nothing in his appearance to
suggest the nature of his alleged pro-
fession.
You are doubtless warranted. mad
am, IN suspectlng 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
aunt's, with whom am spending a
few days. Her number, 40, is the
same as this, but, as I know now, on
the street below. The houses resem-
bic each other very closely. and.
strangely enough, my latchkey opened
your door. Here it is. You may salts
fy yourself, officer"
Clancy took the key, went out. clos
ing both doors behind him, and re-
entered without difficulty
81 can only offer you my most alb
ject apologies and trust you viii &c
cept my explanation" Tom continued.
did you find a gun on him, Clancy"
asked the detective.
mo, sir, but he's got q good big wad
of money"
do you know, ma'am. If your mon
ey's safer
yes, it's untouched In the drawer of
my dresser"
"This Is no new scheme, ma'am, but
I'm strongly inclined to think that IN
this case the gent is straight. If the
people on the next street identify him
we can let him 60 But OF course If
you say the word Wen pull him In
now"
mo; give him a chance to clear him
self, but be sure before you let him
CO."
Tom now breathed freely. He knew
that q few inquiries would set him
straight, but he had greatly feared that
he might be locked up while they were
being made.
The officer returned from downstairs
and, stepping to Toms side, reported:
There's a pane of glass out Of the
rear extension window. The back door
is open and the swags all tied up in
the tabIecloth in the dining room, and
Here the maid, entering excitedly, in
terrupted. I'm sure, ma'am," she
gasped, az just heard some one moving
in your roomw
''The e's't two of 'em, boys" whisper
ed the detective. Fit them bracelets. u
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 target after pistol
practice"
Instantly the situation became clear
to Tom, but he knew his best course
| was to obey, so he started down the
hall and quietly preceded the officer
up the stairs.
At the top of the fight the detective
stopped and listened. Suddenly push
ing open the door Of Mrs. Hapgood't
room, he covered with his revolver the
real burglar, who was pilferlng the
dresser.
Here, Clancy" he shouted, ''put thu
nippers on this man and take 'em bot
downstairsr'
They were halfway down when thu
front door opened and a tall. middlI
aged man Of fine appearance entered
He was evidently prepared for the stu
alton and was about to speak to the of
hcer when, seeing Tom, he stepped for
ward and, extending his hand, ex
claimed:
"Hello, Belden. How in the name o
conscience did you come here, an'
what's all this about anyway
Excuse me, Mr.. Walters" answere
Tom. 'ff 1 give you both my hands
It's difficult to differentiate just now
but If you can prove your identity an
establish mine you'll put me uQde
eternal obligations" Then, turning t
the officer: Say, man, don't you thin
l can get along without these orna
ments now? I've helped you to cate
a real thief, and It's time you letup."
"Why, you see" said Mr.. Waters t
} his sister after the officers had gon
| with their prisoner, Il have know
Tom Belden for years. He used to b
our Boston correspondent.