Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-27

damning the evidence against her. he
would believe against belief, shield her
to the end at whatever hazard to him
self, whatever cost to his fortunes.
Love is unreasoning and unreasonable
even when unrecognized.
His senses seemed to vibrate with
redoubled activity, to become abnor-
mally acute. For the first time he was
conscious of the imperative clamor of
the electric bell in O'Hagan's quarters,
as we'll as of the janitor's rich brogue
voicing his Indignation as he opened
the basement door and prepared to as
cend. Instantly the cause Of the dis.
turbance flashed upon him.
His strangle hold on Anisty relaxed,
he released the man, and brows
knitted with the concentration of his
thoughts. he stepped back and over to
the girl. lifting her hand and gently
taking the revolver from her fingers.
Below O'Hagan was parleying
through the closed door with the late
callers Maitland could have blessed
his hot-headed Irish stupidity for the
delay he was causing
Already Anisty was on his feet
again, blind with rage and crouching
as II ready to spring, only restrained
by the sight of his own revolver
hand.
For the least part Of a second the
young man hesitated, choosing his
way. Then. resolved. in accents OF
determination: Stand up. you hound!"
he cried. Back to the wall there"
lars nose.
The move gained instant obedience.
Mr.. Anisty could not reasonably hest.
tate in the face OF such odds.
and YOU Maitland continued over
his shoulder to the girl without remov.
ing his attention from the burglar, into
the alcove there, at once! And not
word, not whisper, not a sound until
I call you!"
She gave him one frightened aid
piteous glance, then, unquestioning.
slipped quietly behind the portieres.
To Anisty, again: Turn your peck
cts OUT" commanded Maitland.
Quick, you fool! The police are be.
low; your freedom depends on your
haste"
Anisty's hands few to his pockets,
emptying their contents on the floor.
Maitlands eyes sought in vain the
shape of the canvas bag. But time
was too precious Another moments
procrastination and
THAT will do" he said, crisply,
without raising his voice. Now listen
to me. At the end of the hail. there.
you'll find a trunk closet, from which
a window"
II know"
NATURALLY you would. Now go!"
Anisty waited for no repetition Of
the permission. Whatever the mad
ness OF Mad Maitland, he was con-
cerned only to profit by it. Never be-
fore had the long arm of the law
stretched hungry fingers SO near his
collar. He went. springing down the
hall in long, soundless strides. vanish
ing into its shadows.
AS he disappeared Maitland stepped
to the door, raised his revolver, and
pulled the trigger twice. The shots
detonated loudly in that confined space,
and rang coincident with the clash and
clatter of shivered glass. A thin cloud
of yapor obscured the doorway, sway
ing on the hot, still air, then parted
and dissolved dissipated by the en-
trance of four men who, thrusting the
door violently open, struggled into the
hallway
Blue cloth and brass buttons moved
conspicuously in the van, grim face
flushed and perspiring beneath the he'll
NETS vizor revolver poised menac-
ingly in one hand, locust as ready in
the other. Behind this outward and
visible manifestation of the laws
majesty bobbed rusty derby, cooked
jauntily back upon the red, shining
forehead of short and thick-set per-
son with black mustache. O'Hagan's
agitated countenance loomed over a
dusty shoulder, and the battered silk
hat Of the nighthawk brought up the
rear.
Come in, everybody" Maitland
greeted them cheerfully, turning back
into the study and tossing the revolt
yer, shreds of smoke still curling up
from it's muzzle, upon divan.
"OHagan," he called, on second
thought, Jump downstairs and see
that all New York doesn't get in. Let
nobody in"
As the janitor unwillingly obeyed,
policeman and detective found their
tongues. A volley of questions, to the
general purport of whats tn meanin
of all this here?" assailed Maitland as
he rested himself coolly on an edge
OF the desk He responded, with one
eyebrow slightly elevated:
"A burglar. What did you suppose?