The sun., 1907-08-11

always love his associate and former friend.
who has proved so faithful and efficient"
And with such agreeable converse they
reached their destination.
Roosa led the way along the front to the
west area Of the great, rambling. rickety
tenement. I y the dark and broken stairs
they climbed. through the close and clut-
tered hall 10 No s on the front The fragile
door burst open to Roosa = vigorous push;
they entered the shadowy and silent room
THE street light is sufficient whispered
Roosa. I'm fetch the money in a second.
and then well lie and wait for him" And
on tiptoe he went TO the rear
Mr. Kladen's head was a-buZz with the
rush Of his blood; vet he could hear the
opening and closing Of the drawer and
Roosa = returning steps. Then there were
other steps, quick, decisive. a scream. a
stern command. a gas jet fickered and
glowed. There stood Abe Cronkite, ono
hand on Roosa's wrist. the other hand on
Roosa e throat.
Here il the money. sir. and here Ia the
thief" he said, and he shook first one and
then the other.
Tumultuous rage at such an ndignity,
such a gross and culpable blunder, surged
within Mr. Kladen. He lurched forward,
with clenched fists; only 10 stop, uncertain,
astounded, as he caught the mean and alb.
ject expression OF the one he would rescue
why, why, whyl" he stammered. -Rooea
told me the money was here. hid by Ioris
in his room"
Partly right, SIR" the detective agreed
IrpI sThn in hnra
hut this isn't Loriss room, il ia mine, rentsd
by me for this very purpose Of uncovering
the real thief. Loris didn't hide it here;
this scoundrel of Roosa hid il; saw him
myself, hoping thereby to incriminate
poor Loris beyond a hope"
Kitty told me it was his ROOM blurted
Roosa.
-She did" retorted Cronkite. under my
advice" And in terse words he explained
how the trap had been laid and sprung.
Mr.. Kladen's forid face was pale; he
gulped before he spoke.
What you advised should be said TO
Loris now say to you, Roosa, he growled.
"Git,"
After the craven wretch had shambled
away Mr.. Kladen turned entreatingly to
Cronkite
Take me to that poor boy he said,
that | may beg his pardon az sincerely
as l do yours"
Cronkite led the way along the front to
the east area. Up the dark and broken
stairs. through the close and cluttered
hall and into shadowy and silent No. s they
passed. A man was sitting by the window
his face in his hands.
-Loris," said Cronkite, kindly yet firmly
mir. Kladen knows you are innocent. He
is anxious To hear why you didn't keep your
appointment with him.
And sitting in the darkness OF desolation
poor Laban blurted out the story Of his
misadventure in the barber shop at Fair
grade.
But why. why, why?" stammered Mr.
Kladen
The gas jet Hickered and glowed.
Look. zee for yourself" said Cronkite
-You are greatly changed" mused Mr.
Kladen. as he faced his missing teller, Il
should never recognize you-you are a
complete stranger to me. But yet. but yet.
there is something wonderfully familiar
Cronkite reached the looking glass from
the wall.
Look again." he said, and Mr.. Kladen.
studying like a child in wonderland, first
his own image and then the youthful replica
OF it, gave a cry Of Joy. "Oh. do see. do
see." he shouted there is no mistaking
that handsome face. You are AIbert's
son-Albert tried to do just what would
have done in his plaoe!'
Il am Matthew Kladen the second said
I.aban.
MY nauesake. my heir. my second self
entoned Mr.. Klsden joyousIy. -Coms
home, come home with me, to Kitty