Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-21
Ibe Professors 5on
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the corresponding pocket of his own cloth
Morl was beginning to show some signs
of life. His breathing was now perceptible,
and once, he drew rather long breath,
which ended in faint sigh. Bryan would
gladly, have acted the good Samaritan for
him. but he felt that he had not moment
to spare. Probably Lon and Peach were
gone by this time, and he must find at least
two policemen before the train departed.
He intended to send one of them to the as
slstance of Morl, who could remain, in charge
OF the store, while he went to the station
with the other to point out the burglar and
his companion.
Very slowly and carefully Bryan felt his
way to the rear end of the basement. This
time he made sure that he knocked no arti,.
Gle on the floor, the noise of which would
betray his presence. Occasionally he paused
TO listen. He could hear nothing, ,and he
was almost persuaded Chat the burglars had
gone, but he was not sure, and he contin-
ued to use the utmost caution.
Creeping up the stairs he reached the back
store, which was double the width of the
front, the rear extension reaching to the
side street. At the head of the steps he
halted, and took survey of the premises,
so far as he could see them, Lon and Peach
were not in sight, though he eould, not see
behind the counters. The burglars had
brought a supply of tools with them, and
they had nothing to do but pack them be-
fore they departed. They had had plenty
of time to do this.
To avoid any possible mistake, Bryan crept
over to the door on the side street, by
which the rogues had been admitted. Ey-
ing on the floor near it were two good-sized
valises, which must belong to the party, and
were doubtless to be used in carrying of
the plumber.
Bryan lifted one of them, but it appeared
to be empty-there was no "swag' to put
into it. When he tried the other. the rattle
of ironware assured him that this one con-
tanned the tools they had been using. The
latter valise was at least two and a half
feet long. The presence of these articles at
the door indicated that the burglars and
Peach had not yet departed.
Bryan hastily examined the back door,
from which the bars had been removed, but
the key was still in the lock, where it was
locks or other Tools But the door was not
locked, and the operators must have been
there since they ceased to work on the safe.
| The unfastened door indicated that the
burglars had gone, while the presence of the
valises implied that they were still in the
building.
Bryan was perplexed by this conflicting evil
dence, and he retreated to the basement
stairs to consider the situation in its new
light.
favorable certaintes. If he had known
where the burglars were, he could have made
ready for action As it was, delay might
be fatal to the success of his plan. A min
ute seemed like quarter of an hour to
him, and the lapse of very few of them
soon reduced him to state of desperation.
Leaving the stairs, he determined, at any
risk, to ascertain whether or not Lon and
Peach were still in the store.
With the utmost care he walked up. the,
broad space in front of the counters He
could see behind them, though the villains
might conceal themselves by dropping upon
the floor but Bryan intended to return be-
hind the counters. In this manner he walk
ed to the front door without seeing any one.
He was Just going behind the counter, when
he saw Lon Bhnker spring out in front Of
it.
Lon did not wait for Bryan to make
movement of any kind, but rushed to the
front of the store, with the evident intention
of laying violent hands upon him.
The watchman thought of opening the trap
again, and effecting his retreat in that way;
but he had no time to raise the scuttle be-
fore Lon was upon him. For some reason
he did not come with a revolver this time.
Bryan instantly put himself in the atti-
tude of defense, and drawing back at the
instant when Lon expected to take him by
the throat. he planted a heavy blow with
his fist on the temple of the burglar Lon
staggered under its force, but he Immediate
ly rallied, and the battle began.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY