The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-02-14
The Burglary in
Lark Spur Lane

Larkspur Lane, with its three de
tached villas, was deserted and silent.
The postman had left the last post at
"Moneta" and "Delphinium," and
trudged YEARLY away. A policeman
had strayed down the road short dis
lance, and had thrown his lantern neg
ligently On the oak fencing, and then
he, too, had turned back to the main
road and Eliza, the cook, at "Valevian
VILLA" who awaited him.
Nothing broke the calm Of Larkspur
Lane, for the figure that entered it
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 were part Of a
premeditated plan. He glanced up and
down the little cul-de-sac, 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" to disturb him. Who
ever the intruder might be, he evidently
knew his ground, and had studied his
plan Of campaign with assidulty. 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
ed the door, disappearing one moment
into the darkness, then emerged car
rying short ladder. The Incredible
noiselessness Of his movements would
have astounded a watcher. He walked
up to the house and planted the ladder
against window. Again he paused to
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
for him. On the next landing he stopped
moment outside a door, his ear to
the jamb, then he opened it, closed it
after him, and walked straight over
to a chest that stood beneath the dress
Ing table From the pocket Of his long
coat he produced a steel chisel the
chest emitted one sharp, startling crack
before the lid flew Open
The Intruder glanced hastily to the
door before he plunged his hand amid
the contents Of the box. Papers, letters
he cast upon the floor, then held q
large bundle up In the moonlight and
looked at 1t carefully. Apparently he
was satisfied with his scrutiny, for he
dropped the packet into his pocket. He
rose from his knee, and indiscriminate-
ly swept brooches, bangles, a little gold
watch. a necklace, and a ring o. so
into a bag.
The thief looked round the room with
smile, and then opening the door,
made his way downstairs But the re-
turn journey was fated to be noisier
than his advent AS he passed the bath
room he tabbed his foot with a crash
against can.
"Lawksl Who's thereT cried a
voice from within.
The man did not answer, but sped on
with laugh.
Whoever had heard him crash into
the can evidently heard his laugh as
well, and did not recognize 1t, for he
heard the bathroom window hastily
thrown up. He flung his handkerchief
over the lower part Of his face as he
climbed out to his ladder.
"Murderl" shrieked the servant girl
from the bathroom. "Firev'
The still laughing burglar slid to the
ground, but not before there came a
mans voice from the garden.
What Is itT' he called, coming rap
idly nearer. "What is it, Mary? Where
are your
/ ''rhe bathroom, sir" came the muf-
fed reply, as deceny overcame incli-
nation
/ The man In the garden watched a
male form pass the window he had
fuss Quilted Hs scaled the nalings