The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-02-20
The Burglary in
Lark Spur Lane
a.t4.,.s.,,..s....l..s..s..l.i.I



Larkspur Lane, with its three de
tached villas, was deserted and silent
The postman had left the last post al
"Moneta' and "Delphlnium," and
trudged YEARLY away, A policeman
had strayed down the road short dis.
lance. and had thrown his lantern neg
llgently on the oak fencing, and then
he, too, had turned back to the main
road and Eliza, the cook, at "Valeylan
villa" who awaited him.
Nothing broke the calm Of Larkspur
Lane. for the figure that entered II
from the lighted street neglected the
pavement and came forward In silence
on the soft, badly paved road. There
was no hesitation In his movements
apparently his actions We're part OF a
premeditated plan. He glanced up and
down the little cul-desac, and then
threw his leg over the oak fencing and
dropped on the other side. Here he
paused listening but no sound came
from "Moneta" 10 disturb him. Who
ever the Intruder might be, he evidently
knew his ground. and had studied his
plan OF campaign with assIduity. He
crossed the little square Of turf and
Jumped lightly across the gravel path,
where the scrunch of the stones would
have betrayed him. Any one casually
approaching the shed in the dark could
not have noticed the path In the deep
shadow Of the trees Silently he open
ri the door, disappearing one moment
Into the darkness. then emerged car
rying short ladder. The Incredible
nolselesSness OF his movements would
have astounded watcher. He walked
np to the house and planted the ladder
against a window. Again he paused 10
listen and then ran lightly up It, The
window was open, and he swung him
self Into the house Swiftly he sped
upstairs. The house had evidently no
more secrets than the garden had held
Tor him. on the next landing he stopped
moment outside a door. his ear TO
the iamb, then he opened It. closed 1t
after him, and walked straight over
10 chest that stood beneath the dress
Ing table. From the pocket OF his long |
coat he produced steel chIsel, the |
chest emitted one sharp. startling crack |
Before the I'D few open.
T, The intruder glanced hastily to the
floor before he plunged his hand amid
the contents Of the box Papers, letters
be cast upon the floor. then held
large bundle up in the moonlight and
looked at Il carefully Apparently he
was satisfied with his scrutiny, for he
dropped the packet into his pocket lie
rose from his knee. and indiscrlmlnate-
" swept brooches, bangles. a little gold
watch, necklace, and ring o. SO
Into bag.
The thief looked round the room with
a smile. and then opening the door.
made his way downstairs But the re.
turn Journey was fated to be nolsler
han his advent. AS he passed the bath
room he jabbed his foot with crash
against can.
"Lawks! Who's thereY" cried
roice from within
The man did not answer, but sped on
With laugh.
Whoever had heard him crash into
he can evidently heard his laugh as
veil. and did not recognize 1t, for he
heard the bathroom window hastily
thrown up. He flung his handkerchief s
yyer the lower part Of his face as he
climbed out to his ladder.
"Murderw shrleked the servant girl
rom the bathroom. "Fire!"
The still laughing burglar slid to the
.rodrd, but not before there came a
mans voice from the garden
what is TT" he called. coming rap
dly nearer. "What is It, Mary? Where
ire your
THE bathroom, sir" came the muf-
led reply, as decency oyercame incll-
"a tioD.
The man In the garden watched a
male form pass the window he had
ust quilted he scaled the palings