Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-06

.You are we'll known to him." id.
United 6naith. But that 10 . side 10
sue. What pushes me 10 Why you lot
Anisty escape. It II inconcsivabls"
From . police point Of view"
From any point Of view" said
snaith, obstinately. The man breaks
into your house. steals your jewsls--"
This 10 getting tiresoms." Maitland
interrupted. curtly. rs It possible
that you suspect me Of conniving at
the theft OF my own property"
6naith's eyes were keen upon him.
stranger things have been known.
And yet-ths motive 10 lacking. You
are not financially embarrasssd-so
far a. We can determine. at least"
Maitland politely tnterposed hts mn
gers between his yawn and the de-
tective's. intent regard. You have
ten minutes more, I'm sorry to say"
he said. glancing at the clock.
And there 10 another point. more
significant yet"
"Ah?"
yes" snaith bent forward. elbows
on knees. hat and cane swinging. eyes
implacabie. hard. relentless. "Anisty."
he said, slowly. left . tolerably COM
plete burglars kit in your library"
"Well-he's q burglar. isn't he?"
Not that kind" Snaith shook his
head.
But his departure was somewhat
hurried. can conceive that he might
abandon his kit"
But II was not his"
mot Anisty's?"
"Anisty does not depend on such
artiauated methods, Mr.. Maitland;
save that In extreme instances. with
q particularly stubborn safe, he en-
ploys a high explosive that, 30 far a.
we can fnd out. 10 practically noise
less. Its nature 10 mystery .
But such old-fashioned strong-boxes
"a yours at Greenneids he opens By
ear. 90 to speak-listens to the comb
nation. He was once an expert. repu'
tably employed by q prominent nrm
Of safe manufacturers. in whose SER
vice he gained the skill that has made
him-what he H."
"But,"-Msitland cast about at ran
dom, feeling himself cornered-may
he not have had eccomplices?
l He's no such fool. Unless hs has
gone mad, he worked alone. ! presume
you discovered NO accomplish?
II? The devil, MOI"
Snaith smiled mysteriously. then fell
thoughtful, bordering.
You are IN enigma" hs said. Ut
length. II can not understand Why
you refuse u all Information. when
I consider that the jewels were
yours"
Are mine" Maitland corrected.
mo longer"
II beg your pardon: I have them"
snaith shook shis head. smiling In
credulously. Maitland flushed with
ANNOYANCE and resentment, then On
impulse rose and strobe into the ID
joining bedroom. returning With q
small canvas baG. .
-"You shall Sc for yourself. hs said
depositing he bag On tho desk and
fumbling with drawstring. III you VII
be kind enough to step over here"
Mr.. Snaith, still uneonvinced. hest
tated, then assented, halting . briei
! distance from Maitland and toying alb
| stractedly with his cane while the
] young man plucked 1t the drawstrfnE
| -"Deuced tight knot, this" com
| mented Maitland. annoyed.
NO matter. Don't trouble. please
I'm quite satisfied, believe me-"
"Oh, you are!"
Maitland turned: and In the act Of
turning, the loaded head Of the cane
landed With crushing force upon hi1
temple.
For an instant he stood sway1ng
eyes closed, face robbed Of every ves
tige OF color. desp lines OF agony
craven in his forehead and about bib
mouth; then fell like . Hfeless thinE
limp and invertebratat
The toi-disant Mr. Snaith caught
him and let him gsntly and withos'
sound to the floor.
Poor fool" he commented, knesl
ing to make . hasty exnminstjoa
Hope I havent done for him.
Il would be the arst time.
| Bad precedent. 80! Hes I'll
risht-conscious within IN hour.
Too SOON" he added, standing and
looking down. Wei, turn aboufs fail
play" -
He swung on his heel and sntefst
the hallway. pausine q the door lont
enough to shoot the bolt: then passed
hastily through the other chamber
searching, to Judge b his manner.
In the end . closed door atfractet
him; he jerked Il opea, With N 81
ciamafion Of relief. II gave spoa
large bare room. used By MaitIand q
q trunk closet. Here were stout heath
er straps and CORDS d ample measure
~lfr. Snaith- selected ooe from then
quietly but with care. choosing u