Putnam patriot., 1908-05-08


 riot following his shadowy gesture, .o,,,ered if he were up.to some crafty trick.
 .ur Fitzgeorge." she said. .sI pre- "a, to transact this matter where We arc see no reason-
 Arsin the man interrupted her.
 Al right" he answered earelessly; ei, isn't my risk. you know. If your ssther came down those stairs sud- ,snlv might have to shoot; that's all. ! dap,t want to injure him. of course. but
 eoh Harriet please" moaned a shrinking voice at her elbow, and Har- rie, seeing the wisdom of the move. gave iii.
 .sTbat is the billiard roem.' she an- swerei but it also connects with the hall stand where you are, and when vou hear me call you may follow me. Come Imogene.
 This room was lighter than the H. brarv having a large transom window, tbrourb which the siekly moonlight forced ffs way. and possessed an addi- ,lenat advantage to the girls by req san ef the billiard table. which could 1e keat between them and their yis- it3F.
 Al Miss Renwyck's low call the man flashed lis lantern twice across the H. hrsrv window and stepped into the HHIljaFd room. carefully closing the door behind him.
 .Naw he began immediately, talk ifs packet from his pocket. we can get down to business. But before I fake the money which Miss Chittendon k kindly going to lend me for a month er two want to make an ex- planai.on of my act
 -Sir." whispered Harriet, "I do not consider that at all necessary. You explained yourself in your letter, and neither Miss Chittendon nor l desire 10 70 further into your motives. Please be good enough to bring your extraor- dinarv business to an end.
 But. my dear Miss Renwyck," the visitor persisted. lowering his voice ta match her own. you must admit that something is due me. l present myself in very bad light before both Of you and I want to clear myself be- fore l go Appearances are against ne know. but
 sWhatss that Y' demanded Harriet, shagpig starting at slight noise which al irsf She fancied was in the hall.
 .NetbiHz. think Mr F'itzgeorce aHsWefef hnrriedly after listening for aa instaat "Ah, this is it." he went oa saialy stepping and apparently picking ID something from the floor. q stepped on q stray piece of billiard chaik. As | was saying just now. I've get to leave for the west immediately to join my regiment'-they could feel his hooking smile even if they could nof see it-"and. to be absolutely truth ful. whieh prefer. some of my friends. The police. are on my trail. That's why I am obliged to come at night I hope 1 haven't frightened you ladies. and beg to assure you that weglda. harm a hair of your pretty heads for any price whatever" con tiaaed this extraordinarily loauaeions rascal
 '4es. yes" said Harriet impatiently, "we know all that Give me the let teFs and ro''
 Pardon me, said the spacious Mir. Eederiek= =Fitzgeorge, with q gallant bow. "but haven't quite finished yet. l want you to understand my position eeafIy. SD that you may know I'm dealing squarely. though harsh world outside Is dogging my innocent hees"
 IAe much abused gentleman plnng- et into $ rambling tale of his misfor- i1les. speaking so rapidly that net- tleF of his auditors at times conld fol o@=hiia even If they had not been q state bordering on collapse. al Though Harriet. the cooler of the two, Wondered why the villain did not take he money and go.
 Had watcher been concealed In lae library he might well have un- aefsiofsi the motives Of Mr Roderlek | ilaseorge, or MT. Jack Bibbs, for eott names. among many others, ehaaeed to appertain to the same at uaeuye gentleman. No sooner had me door Of the billiard room been e'oSed when another form rose sieaithily above the library window sai' stepped noiselessly inside, crossed tue room and dropped on his knees tefore MT. Renwyck's safe. The man WIS of medium height and slender "u'a. wearing a mask over the upper perion Of his face. But his chin and !aW appeared beneath the band Of paaeh. showing a pale. putty-like com r.exioa.
 ID his work upon the safe this sec e'ia nocturnal visitor did not resort to 'oFce or violence. He was far too old lahd to use such primitive means, nor did he wish to arouse the house 4.hl Ny any sudden noise. He press VI a Hfaeticed ear against the iron s-a'e a9ar, then turned the dial slow = NiiA feather touch till at last az Vas rewarded by a faint metallic s.4sA as the delicate tumbler dropped ...s7 iis slot Ky the aid of his cleo 1le Hash lamp he made a mental tie number. indicating his Eeint. Then he replaced his - al I reversed the dial as carefully j. Again he heard the warn ts
 eF D sixty, right to thirty=fxe,
 alurssi te. himself and bent to
 once more
 lrei f5ur numbers, that being .3 a. continuation Of smaller safes.
 i'entlE turned tl-e lsai to the
 he sesHai q blank The work
 aeE lsss done again, though not - ie beginning. for tlaree at least V s Efste5#a xxsara ks,ssvrn f5 itz1I