Putnam patriot., 1908-05-08
CHAPTER XVIII.

 HY PsTAlRs the music of Mir, Renwyck's sonorous slumbers still oezed through the chinks
 of his bedroom door. while at the farther end of the ball another closed on the sleepless Mir Richard Williams
 The yoang man had heard the clock train of tangled thought when it oc- cured to him that perhaps if he read for half an hour his mind might be cone composed enough for sleep. He remembered a partly finished book which he had left in the billiard room and started downstairs to get it. With q natural disincfination to disturb the household. he tipped yeiy cautiously through the hall, down the flight of carpeted steps and approached the billiard room, which, like the library, was separated from the lower hall by heavy curtains These he was about to draw aside when his outstretehea hand was suddenly arrested by the sound of voice within. It was mas culine and belonged to no inmate of the house that he could recognize: also it was snbdued as one who fear ed to be overheard What he heard assured him that some raseality was afoot.
 'Ifs money I'm in need of" the voice was saying. "and that's why l took the risk Of coming here alone in the midale of the night
 Richards hand sid instinetixeig to his hip before he remembered the ab- surdity of fashionable clothes. Clear iy there was some one in the loom who had no business there. Yet to whom was he taikinga If a member of the household why this secreeyf He must investigate, of course. But first he had better arm himself. as he did not know who OF how many he might have to deal with.
 His mind once made mp, the Texan removed his slippers. erept softly uP the stairs to his room, then down again. pausing once more outside the billiard room. but this time listening deliberately.
 "Mr. Fitzgeorge." woman's voice was saying. my patience is exhaust ed. Why all this talkf Your scheme is blackmail- nothing else. Give me the letters. take youf bay and 70.
 Win stab of pain the Texan reeog nizea the voice as Miss Renwyek $, and it came with q double pang at The thought that she was neeiins some unknown rascal in the dead "t nlght-that she was buying letters from him
 "What letters?" his heart questioned iealonsiy. He leRged to rush in aud kill the miscreant in his tracks, 3et wisdom held his mad design ill abey. anee for tue present He peeped through the heavy portieres aud spied two female figures on one side Of the billiard table, while that of man was on the other side. with his back to- ward the library door. but with his face half turned toward the spot where the Texan waited.
 ayery well.s whispered the man again. T guess you are playing fair. all right" He took a package from his inner pocket Here are your let, ters. Have you got the moneyf'
 aYes." said Harriet softly; Il have But wait. must see that the letters are all here Imogene. look over them AS quickly as you can. l am afraid 10 turn on the light but perhaps MT Fitzgeorge will be kind enough to lend us his lantern
 @Wefi. say. chuekled the visitor quietly, you've got your nerve with YOU. all right I'm sorry didn't meet you before" Again he laughed noise lessly, produced his builseye and threw a blaze of light on the pile Of letters which he laid upon the table. Look .elo over. Imogene. my dear" he con timed with unblushing familiarity That's every one you ever wrote me
 With q thrill of pleasure the Texan causrbt this last remark The letters. then. were not Harrief's. after all. and she. brave girl had dared to face this seoundres in order io shield friend. He could wing the fellow as he stood But na. That would alarm the house  ansi undo everything which this spsea- did woman had sHIyen to hide. He could wait. and f the felsag offered DO aFr8ut he soaid let him 70 rather than naerter Mss Reawx.s hy hiS own appearan,e on fhe seeie. When the m.aa was safely acme f3e Texan could then sip quietly to Lis rs9in. ,ea tr7.za fyeo t.ouH7t azzf.sls girls would never know that I sessizef ilad stood enarI outside the door
 Miss Imnsene opened each letTef fo make certain that # was there. counted rse plia and looked up tiaii r.
 --Taey-they gre not aB aere- she faltere,I. Fl wrote fourteen. and here are only twelve
 That's all ! got" sald tse burglar