Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-04-25

chairs; II bore every evidence Of constant
place Of Its fortunate. owner.
In the dining appointments the same taste
were beautiful. / wondered II this were the
imprint of the millionaire influence.
lingering over the dessert. Fne wine and
cigars claimed our attention and we sat chat,
ting idly nn,il quite haii,pas, ten; ,.,
started. Ills tone was portent with explana.
ton. - have no doubt my note mystihed
you somewhat -
confessed that 1t was so.
lie leaned impressively over the table and
spoke with lowered voice.
house will be visited by burglars tonight -
lie smiled grimly mt my expression of sur
what do you keep here | uueried. N
money. surely" l was thinking of the bank.
This plate"
Yes. the plate. and besides a good sized
sum of money | keep my wife's jewels here.
They are Of very considerable value"
mr ~il !, did have you yd ,s"rn 'ak of !! 'H'"' A s@SvS TAs az
questions rushed to my lips.
lie was perfectly calm.
My dear SIR" he said, II have arranged to
have three men within call. We Will trap
them very neatly. I could not resist having
a %i'n %". ,d to my lnssn"I'y am can depend
bowed a trine coldly. ! really did not
relish the idea and questioned II ! liked this
my life in his interest.
We rose and went to the library. I saw
Tim, every blind was closeIy drawn and re,
the windows as had approached.
We smoked and talked consirainedly. The
II rather expect things to materialize
soon murmurcd my host. lie cxtinguishcd
I'll" I !,Sn' an" we "h G"nysTS'd y Whisper, ,,,.
early"
you forget that they think I nm away
he reloined. NO one knows I have returned
except yourself"
Asoft tap a, the door startled me.
THAT'S Jcm's"n,' explained Glencoe. and
consultation with the surly keeper.
"iie says someone Is appronching the east
Guided by my host. threaded scvc al
long hnils. We cr"pt softly, often pausing Ia
listen.
Finally my guide paused.
This Is my Office he whispered. "Thr
safe containing the Jewels Is here. We must
catch them red handed. Wait here he ended,
let nothing cause you 10 act before re-
turn
| waited In the darkness alone. Il seemed
II long time. strained my ears listening to
every crcak and rattle Of doors and windows.
Il was becoming intolcrable when, almost be.
Side me, hear my hosts step.
They are looting the dining room, placing
the plate In a sack" he explained. Ills voice
was quite calm.
! seized his arm.
Good heavens" - I gasped. let us give the
alarm wL"r" ars your mGni" ,,o
Glencoe, II have heard their plans. They
will give the plate 10 one OF their number
who Will he captured without n cry ms he de-
scends to the patch leading to where their
carriage stands. .. have It all planned and
1t viii work 1t viii work - Ills chuckle
was so dlnbOilcnl that ! started and wished
] could have seen his face.
And then = ! asked.
''Then-now they IRE after the Jewels"
Az. he spoke heard g noise. Someone was
opening a window. Very slowly and eau.
tiOusly II was raised and I heard a soft step
and u movement In the room.
] listened for II word from Glencoe but 1t
seemed hours before he spoke.
Come"
lie stepped quickly and noiselcssiy forward.
Ing a button which produced n flood OF light.
In the center of the room, blinded by the
sudden illumination, dazed, not trying to
flee, stood my mysterious acquaintance Of the
wood.
She seemed puzzled for a moment, then
she gasped. her bewildered eyes glaring ut
Glencoe, "YOu here -
Eyes, I. You did not expect this, madam.
Nor your confederates. They're safe and
sound--cleverly caught and ready for prison
bars. zee we were Just In time
lie stepped to the window, drew II down
and snapped the catch with force.
almost too late" he said to me. triumph
/ followed his gaze. The door OF the SAT
stood ajar, scattered on the floor were loose
A Jewel box lay open on the table within
easy rench Of the shrinking girl, and from its
depths the light searched out the fash and
fire of gems.
She stood staring at them In a bewildered
way. Her lips moved numbly she did not
utter a sound.