Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-10
the frst time since entering the room,
he smiled: then in silence for . time
rA1arded har sfAadfaafly thinking

OO uC LCSOIlDI0u thAp " ~ i0lb IL
~, strongly enough to be mistaken for
him-eh? Plainly enough the girl be.
lieved him to be Anisty. Well.
and why not? Why shouldn't he be
Anisty for the time being. II it suited
his purpose so to masquerade?
1t might possibly suit his purpose.
He thought his position u uncommon,
ly difficult. AS Maitland, he had on his
hands a female thief. a hardened char
acter, a ommon m%alefactor (strange
that he got so little relish OF the
terms!), caught red-handed; as Matt.
land. his duty was to hand her over
to the law, to be dealt with as-what
she was. Yet, ever while these consid-
erations were urging themselves upon
him. he knew his eyes appraised her
with open admiration and interest. She
stood before him. slight, delicate, pref.
ty, appealing in her ingenious candor;
and at his mercy. How could he bring
himself to deal with her as he might
with-well, Anisty himself? She was
a woman. he a gentleman.
AS Anisty, however, he chose to
assume that experts identity for the
nonce-he would be placed at once on
a plane OF equality with the girl; from
a fellow Of her craft she could hardly
refuse attentions. AS Anisty. he would
put himself In q position to earn her
friendship, to gain-perhaps-her con,
fidence, to learn something Of her
necessities, to aid and protect her from
the consequences Of her m%isdeeds;
possibly-to sum up-to divert her
footsteps to the paths Of a calling less
hazardous and more honorable.
Worthy ambition-to reform a bur.
giar! Maitland regained something Of
his lost self.esteem, applauding him
self for entertaining a motive so
laudable. And he chose his course, for
better or worse. in these few seconds.
Thereby proving his incontestable title
to the name and repute OF Mad Matt
land.
His face l%ightened; his manner
changed; he assumed with avidity the
role for which she had cast him and
which he stood so ready to accept and
act.
We'll and good" he conceded with
an air. Il suppose I may as we'll
own up"
"Oh, I know you" she assured him,
with a little, confident shake Of her
head. There's no deceiving. me. But"
and her smile became rueful, III only
you'd waited ten minutes more! OF
course l recognized You from the first
down there by the river; and knew
very well what was your-lay; you
gave yourself away completely by
mentioning the distance from the river
to the Manor. And l did SO want to
get ahead of you or this job! What =
feather in ones cap, to have fore.
stalled Dan Anisty! But
hadn't you better be a little careful
with those lights? You seem to forget
that there are servants in the house.
Really. you know, Ishnd you most ro-
mantically a%udacious. Mr.. Anisty-
quite in keeping with your reputation"
you overwhelm me-" he murmured.
Believe me. l have little conceit in
my fame, such a. it is." And, crossing
to the windows, he loosed the heavy
velvet hangings and let them fall to-
gether, drawing their edges close 50
tNat no ray of light might escape.
She watched him with interest. You
seem well acquainted here"
"Of course. Any mar of imagine
ton is at pains to study every house
he enters. l have q map Of the prem
ises-house and grounds-here." He
indicated his forehead with a long
forefnger.
quite right, too-and worth ones
while. II rumor is to be believed, you
have ordinarily more than your labor
for your pains. You have taught me
something already. . All, WE'LL"
she sighed, II suppose / may as we'll
acknowledge my inferiority-as neo.
phyte to hierophant. M~aster!" She
courtesied low. Il beg you proceed
and let thy cheela profit through obser-
vation!" And q small white hand ges-
tured significantly toward the collec-
ton Of burglars tools-drills and
chisels, skeleton keys, putty, and ALL
neatly displayed upon the rug before
the massive safe.
you mean that you wish me to
crack this safe for you?" he inquired,
with inward CONSERVATION.
mot for me. Disappointment / ad-
NIT is mine; but not for the loss I sus-
tain. In the presence of the master l
am content to stand humbly to one
side, as BELTS one of my lowly state in
in the ranks of our profession. l re-
sign, l abdicate in your favor; claim.
ing nothing by right of priority"
"You are too generous" he mum
bled, confused by her thinly yelled rid
icule.
mot at ALL" she replied briskly. II
am entirely serious. My loss Of to-
day will prove my gain tomorrow. 1
study of your methods. My own, I
confess" with a contemptuous toss of
her head toward the burglars kit,
ARE clumsy, Anticipated, out of date.
/. . But then, I'm only an ANA
teur."
ooh, but . woman" he began to
apologize on her behalf.
"Oh, but a woman!" she raped out,
smartly. Il wish you to understand
that this woman, at least, is no
mean" And she hesitated.
"Thief?" he supplied, crudely.