The Irish standard., 1908-10-24

eut after a moment began to show
some signs OF having benefited by the
draught, q faint color dawning in her
cheeks.
That's some BETTER" commended
the burglar, not unkindly. "Now, If
you please, we'll stop talking pretty
and get down to brass tacks. Buck up,
now. and answer my questions. And
don't be afraid; I'm holding no great
grudge for what you did this after.
noon. l appreciate pluck and grit as
much as anybody, 1 guess, though l do
think you ran 1t pretty close, peach.
ing on q pal after you'd lifted the
jewels. BY the way, why did you
do it,"
Because But you wouldn't under
stand IL told you."
II suppose not. I'm not much good
splitting sentimental hairs. But Matt
land must have been pretty decent to
you to make you go so far. Speaking
of which, where are they?"
"They?"
Don't sidestep. We understand one
another. know you've brought back
the jewels. Where have you slowed
them?"
The wine had fulfilled its mission,
endowed her with fresh strength and
renewed spirit. She was thinking
quickly, every wit alert.
II won't tell you.'
won't eh? That's an admission
that they're here, you know. And you
may as we'll know l propose to have
'em. Fair means or foul, take your
pick. Where are they?"
Il have told you wouldn't tell"
I've known pluckier women than
you to change their minds. under pres
sure" He came nearer, bending over,
face close to her, eyes savage, and
gripped her wrists none too gently.
"Tell mel"
LET me 60"
He. proceeded calmly to imprison
both small wrists in one strong, bony
hand. Better tell"
Let me go!" she painted, struggling
to rise.
His voice took on an ugly tone.
"Tell!"
She was a child in his hands, but
managed nevertheless to rise. AS he
applied the pressure more cruelty to
her arms she cried aloud with pain
and, struggling desperately, knocked
the chair over.
1t went down with a crash appalling
ly loud in that silent house and at
that hour; and taking advantage of his
instant of CONSERVATION she jerked
free and sprang toward the door. He
was upon her in an instant, however,
hard fingers digging into her shoul-
ders. "You little fool!"
"No!" she cried. "No, no, no! Let
me go, you-you brute!-
Abruptly he thought better of his
methods and released her, merely put
ing himself between her and the door.
way.
Don't be little fool" he coun.
seled. "You kick up that row and
you'll have us both pinched inside of
the next five minutes"
Defiance was on her tongues tin.
but the truth in his words gave her
pause. Palpitating with the shock.
every outraged instinct a-quiver, she
subdued herself and fell back, eying
him fixedly.
They're here" he nodded thought
fully. "You wouldn't have stood for
that If they weren't. And since they
are, can find them without your as.
sistance. Sit down. l shan't touch
you again."
She had scant choice other than
to obey. Desperate as she was, her
strength had been severely overtaxed,
and she might not presume upon it
too greatly. Fascinated with terror,
she let herself down into an easy
chair.
Anisty thought for moment, then
went over to the desk and sat himself
before it.
"Keys," he commented, rapidly in.
veptorying what he saw. How'd you
get hold of them?"
''They are Mr.. Maitland's. He must
have forgotten them"
The burglar chuckled grimly. "Co-
incidences multiply. It is odd. That
harp, O'Hagan, was coming in with a
can Of beer while I was picking the
lock, and caught me. He wanted to
know If I'd missed my train for Green.
fields, and gave him my word of hon.
or had. Moreover, I'd mislaid my
keys and had been ringing for him for
the past ten minutes. He swallowed
every word of it. BY the way, here's
a glove of yours. You certainly man.
aged to leave enough clews about to
insure your being nabbed even by q
New York detective"
He faced about, tossing her the
glove, and with it SO keen and pene-
trating a glance that her heart sank
Tor fear that he had guessed her Sc
cret. But as he continued she re-
gained confidence.
II could teach you thing or two,"
he suggested. pleasantly. "You make
s5out as many mistakes as the aver
age beginner. And, on the other hand,