Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-20
V-Continued.

| considered it.
| 1--WE did," he admitted.
"And came here directly?'
II did,
Mr.. Maitland, why not be frank with
me? My sole object is to capture a no.
torious burglar. I have no desire to
NEEDLE with your private affairs. but
=" You may trust in my discretion
Who was the young lady?"
"To conceal her IDENTITY" said Matt
land. undsturbed, lis precisely why I
have been lying to you"
You refuse us that information?'
| absolutely. 1 have no choice in the
matter. You must see that"
Snaith shook his head. baffied, infinite
ly perturbed, to Maitland's hidden delight
| "Of course said he, 1.-THE policeman at
the ferry recognized me?"
| "You are we'll known to him." admitted
Snaith. But that is a side issue. What
puzzles me is why you let Anisty escape.
1t is inconceivable."
| From a police point of view
From any point Of view" said Snaith.
obstinately. 1.-The man breaks into your
house. steals your Jewels
| "This is getting tiresome," Maitland in
terrupted, CURLY. rs 1T possible that you
suspect me of conniving at the theft of
my own property?'
| Snaith's eyes were keen upon him.
| stranger things have been known. And
yet-the motive is lacking. You are not
| financially embarrassed-so far as we can
determine, at least"
| Maitland politely fnterposed his fingers
between his yawn and the detectives in
| tent regard. "You have ten minutes more,
I'm sorry to say" he said, glancng at
And there is another point, more sig
nificant yet
Yes" Snaith bent forward, elbows
implacable, hard, relentless. "Anisty,'
he said. slowly. cleft tolerably COM
plete burglars kit in your library"
'Well-he's a burglar. isn't he?"
mot that kind" Snaith shook his
head.
But his departure was somewhat hur-
ried. 1 can conceive that he might aban-
don his kit
But it was not his
| mot Anisty's?"
''Anisty does not depend on such anti
quated methods, Mr.. Maitland; save that
| in extreme instances with a particularly
stubborn safe. he employs high ex-
| plosive that, so far we can find out, is
practically noiseless. It's nature is mys-
| terry. . But such old-fashioned strong
| boxes as yours at Greenfields he opens by
ear. so to speak-listens to the combina-
| ton. He was once an expert reputably
manufacturers. in whose service he
gained the skill that has made him-what
| he is
| "But'-Maitland cast about at random,
| feeling himself cornered-"may he not
| have had accomplices?"
| He's no such fool. Unless he has gone
| mad. he worked alone. l presume you
discovered no accomplice?'
| II? The devil. nor!
,Snaith smiled mysteriously, then fell
\ m
You are an enigma he said. at
length. II can not understand why you
refuse us all information when l consider
that the jewels were yours
Are mine," Maitland corrected.
| mo longer
| II beg your pardon: l have them"
| Snaith shook his head, smiling incredu-
lously. Maitland flushed with annoyance
and resentment. then on impulse rose and
strobe into the adjoining bedroom, re-
| turning with small canvas bag
You shall see for yourself he said
| depositing the bag on the desk and fNm-
bling with the draw string. IF you will
| be kind enough to step over here
Mr.. Snaith, still unconvinced. hesitated,
| then assented. hating a brief distance
| from Maitland and toying abstractedly
with his cane while the young man
| plucked at the draw string.
''Deuced tight knot, this" commented
Maitland. annoyed.
mo matter. Don't trouble. please I'm
quite satisfied. believe me-"
| "Oh, you are!
ing the loaded head of the cane landed
| with crushing force upon his temple.
| For an instant he stood swaying, eyes
| closed, face robbed of every vestige of
color. deep lines of agony craven on his
| forehead and about his mouth then fell
like lifeless thing, limp and inverte-
brate.
The soi-dsant Mr.. Snaith caught him
and let him gently and without sound to
| the floor.
Poor fool!' he commented. kneeling to
make a hasty examination. Hope l
haven't done for him. 1t would be
the first time. Bad precedent. =
| So. He's all right-conscious within an
and looking down. "Well, turn about's
| fair play
| He swung on his heel and entered the
hallway, pausing at the door long enough
| to shoot the bolt: then passed hastily
through the other chambers. searching, to
| judge by his manner.
In the end a closed door attracted him:
he jerked it open with an exclamation of
used by Maitland as trunk closet. Here
| were stout leather straps and cords in
| ample measure Mr.. Snaith" selected
one from them quickly but with care,
| choosing the strongest.
| In two more minutes Maitland. trussed.
| gagged. till unconscious and breathing
| heavily, occupied a divan in his smoking
| ROOM while his assailant, in the bedroom,
| ears keen to catch the least sound from
! without was rapidly and cheerfully ar
| raging himself in the Maitland gray
| striped f1annels and accessories-even to
the gray socks which had been specified.
THE less chances one takes the better"
soliloquized Mr.. Snaith.'
| He stood erect, in another mans shoes,
| suuaring back his shoulders discardng
the Disgusting stoop. and confronted his
| image in a pier glass.
| GOOD enough, Maitland,' he COM
| mented. with a little satisfied nod to his
counterfeit preseptment. But we'll make
1t better STILL
A single quick jerk denuded his upper
| lin: he slowed the mustache carefully
away in his breast pocket. The moist
ened corner of a towel made quick work
of the crows feet about his eyes and,
simultaneously, robbed him of a dozen
| apparent years. pair of yellow chamOiS
gloves, placed conveniently on dressing
| table. covered hands that no art could
make resemble Maitlands. And it was
Daniel Maitland who studied himself in
| the pier glass.
Contented, the criminal returned to the
| smoking room. A single glance assured
| him that his victim was still dead to the
world He sat down at the desk, drew
off the gloves and opened the bag; peep
| within which was enough. With a deep
| and slow intake of breath he knotted the
draw string and dropped the bag into his
pocket. A jeweled cigarette case of
unique design shared the same fate.
| Quick eyes roaming the desk observed
| the telegram form upon which Maitland
| had written Cressy's name and address.