Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-07-30

Every we'll" Miss Renwyck began
again. 'Then we needn't waste fur
Their time II you have the letters goa
spoke off,
walt a minute" the man interrupt
ed. 1--WE can't talk In here. It's too
near the front of the stairs. and don't
want to run any unnecessary risks
either for you ladies or for myself.
What room does that door lead tor
He pointed to the left. while Har-
riet. following his shadowy gesture.
wondered IL he were up to some crafty
trick.
"Mr. Fitzgeorge," she said, IL pre-
fer 10 transact this matter where We
are. ! see no reason
Again the man interrupted her.
"All right" he answered carelessly:
1T isn't my risk. you know. II your
father came down those stairs sud-
denly I might have to shoot; that's all.
I don't want to injure him. Of course.
but
"Oh, Harriet, pleasew moaned a
shrinking voice at her elbow, and Har-
riet. seeing the wisdom Of the move.
gave in.
'That is the billiard ROOM" she an
swered. "but II also connects with the
hall. Stand where you are. and when
you hear me call you may follow me.
Come. Imogene."
This room was lighter than the H.
brary. having q large transom window,
through which the sickly moonlight
forced its way. and possessed an addi-
tional advantage to the girls by rea-
son OF the billiard tahH. which could
be kept between them and their Wis
ftor.
At Miss Renwyck's low call the man
flashed his lantern twice across the IL
brsrya window and stepped into the
bfiiiard room. carefully closing the
door behind him., !,
Now be began Immediately, TAX
ing a packet from his pocket, 1--WE eau
get down to business. But before
take the money which Miss Chittendon
h kindly going to lend me for a
month or two I want to make an ex-
PLANTATION of my act
sir whispered Harriet, III do not
consider that at all necessary. You
explained yourself In your letter. and
neither Miss Chittendon nor desire
to 60 further into your motives. Please
be good enough to bring your extraor-
binary business to an end" &
But my dear Miss Renwyck," the
visitor persisted, lowering his voice
to match her own. you must admit
that something is due me. l present
myself In very bad light before both
Of you. and ! want to clear myself be-
fore l go. Appearances are against
me, know. butt
whats that" demanded Harriet.
sharply starting at slight noise which
at first she fancied was In the hall
Nothing. think" Mr.. Fftzgeorge
answered hurriedly after listening for
on. swiftly STOPPING and apparently
picking up something from the floor
Il stepped on a stray piece of billiard
chalk. As | was saying just nov, I've
got to leave for the west Immediately
to join my regiment"-they could feel
his hooking smile even If they could
not see it-"and. to be absolutely truth
full. which prefer, some of my
friends. the police, are on my trail.
That's why l am obliged to come at
night. l hope l haven't frightened you
ladies, and beg to assure you that /
wouldn't harm a hair of your pretty
heads for any price whatever" con-.
tinued this extraordinarily loquacious
rascal
Eyes, yes" said Harriet impatiently,
1--WE know all that. Give me the let
tiers and co.
Pardon me-" said the specious Mr..
Roderick Fitzgeorge, with gallant
bow. "but | haven't quite finished yet
want you to understand my position
clearly. so that you may know I'm
dealing squarely, though harsh
world outside Is logging my innocent
heels"
The much abused gentleman plung-
ed into rambling tale of his misfor-
tunes. speaking so rapidly that mel
Their OF his auditors at times could fol
low him even If they had not been
In a state bordering on collapse. al
though Harriet, the cooler of the two,
wondered why the villain did not take
the money and go.
Had a watcher been concealed In
the library he might well have un-
derstood the motives of Mr. Roderick
Fitzgeorge, or Mr.. Jack Bibbs, for
both names, among many others.
CHANGED to appertain to the same at
tractive gentleman. No sooner had
the door Of the billiard room been
closed when another form rose
stealthily above the library window
sill, stepped noiselessly inside, crossed
the room and dropped on his knees
before Mr.. Renwyck's safe. The man
was of medium height and slender
build, wearing mask over the upper
portion of his face. But his chin and
jaw appeared beneath the band OF
black. showing pale. putty-like com
/ plexion.
In his work upon the safe this sec
ond nocturnal visitor did not resort to
force or violence. He was far too old
hand to use such primitive means,
nor did he wish to arouse the house
hold by any sudden noise. He press
ed practiced ear against the iron
safe door. then turned the dial slow
| " with q feather touch TIN At last
- was rewarded By faint metallic
1 ~ 49, a. - =