The Huttig news., 1908-11-07

down, visibly embarrassed, acting with consummate address playing the game for all he was worth; and enjoy ing it hugely.
 Why Really. MT. Snaith, I must confess"
 "A confession would aid us materi. ally" dryly The case is perplexing. You round up burglar sought by the police of two continents, and listlessly permit his escape. Why?"
 T would rather not be pressed" said Maitland, with evident candor; but, since you say it is imperative, that you must know" Snaith in- clined his head afirmatively. Why to tell the truth, I was a bit under the weather last night out with a party of friends, you know. Dare say we all had bit more than we could carry. The capture was purely accidental we had other plans for the night and-well" laughing shortly. T didn't give the matter too much thought, beyond believing that Higgins would hold the man tight"
 q see. It is unfortunate, but you motored back to town
 It was not a question, but Maitland so considered it.
 We did" he admitted
 And came here directly?n
 '1 did"
 "Mr. Maitland, why not be frank with me? My sole object is to capture a notorious burglar. I have no desire to meddle with your private affairs, but You may trust in my dis cretion. Who was the young lady?"
 ITO conceal her identity" said Matt land, undisturbed, ''is precisely why 1 have been lying to you"
 You refuse us that information ?'
 Absolutely I have no choice in the matter. You must see that"
 Snath shook his head baffied, in- finitely perturbed. to Maitland's hld- den delight.
 "Of course" said he. "the policeman at the ferry recognized me?"
 You are well known to him" ad. nitted Snaith But that is a side is- sue. What puzzles me is why you let Anisty escape. It is inconceivable.
 From police point of view
 From any point of view said Snaith, obstinately The man breaks Into your house, steals your jewels"
 This is getting tiresome," Maitland interrupted, curtly. 'Is it possible that you suspect me of conniving at the theft of my own property?"
 Snaith's eyes were keen upon him. Stranger things have been known. And yet-the motive Is lacking. You are not financially embarrassed--so far as we can determine. at least"
 Maitland politely interposed his fin, gers between his yawn and the de- tectives intent regard You have ten minutes more, I'm sorry to say" he said, glancing at the clock.
 And there is anothers point, more significant yet"
 "Ah?.
 Yes Snaith bent forward, elbows on knees. hat and cano swinging, eyes implacable hard, relentless. "Anisty." he said, slowly. left a tolerably com plete burglars kit in your library"
 " rii ilC d Utts lSu ut
 Not that kind Snaith shock his head
 But his departure was somewhat hurried 1 can conceive that he might abandon his kit"
 "But it was not his7
 Not Anisty's?"
 "Anisty does not depend on such aItiquated methods. MT Maitland; save that in extreme instances. with particularly stubborn safe. he em- ploys high explosive that so far as We can find out, is practically noise less. Its nature Is mystery But such oldfashioned strong boxes as yours at Greenfields he opens by ear, so to speak-listens to the combi- nation He was once an expert, repu- tably employed by prominent firm of safe manufacturers, in whose ser vice he gained the skill that has made him-what he is"
 But, Maitland cast about at ran- dom, feeling himself cornered-"m he not have had accomplices
 Hes no such fool. Unless he has gone mad, he worked alone l presume you discovered no sccomplice?p
 q? The devil, mol"
 Snaith smiled mysteriously, then fell thoughtful. pondering
 You are an enigma" he said. at length. T can not understand why you refuse us all information, when I consider that the jewels were yours-''
 Are mine" Maitland corrected.
 No longer"
 T beg your pardon; have them"
 Sn9ith shook his head, smiling in- credulously Maitland flushed with annoyance and resentment, then on impulse rose and strode into the ad- joining bedroom, returning with a small canvas bag.
 You shall see for yourself. he said dapositing the bag on the desk and fumbling with drawstring If you will be kind enough to step over here-''
 Mr Snaith. sthl iunconvinced, hesi- tated, then assented halting brief distance from Maitland and toying ah- straetedly with his cane while the young man ph1cked at the wString