Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-11
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
CHAPTER Xi-concI uded.

in the face Of the man whose throat he
was slowly and relentlessly construct
ing. Anisty! He had not thought OF
him or connected him with the sounds
that had thrilled and alarmed him over
the telephone wire coming out Of the
void and blackness Of night. Indeed.
he had hardly thought any coherent
thing about the matter The ring OF
the girls MOI" had startled him. and
he had somehow thought, vaguely.
thatO'Hagan had surprised her in the
fat But more than that
He glanced swiftly aside at the girl
standing still beneath the chandelier,
the match in one hand burning to-
ward her finger tips, in the other An
isty's revolver. Their eyes met. and
in hers the light of gladness leaped
and fell like a living fame, then died,
to be replaced by look Of entreaty
and prayer SO moving that his heart
in its unselfish chivalry went out to
her.
Who or what she was. howsoever
damning the evidence against her. he
~Oulu UcllcSS o6oLuSt oCiASs, ohACAA ASA
to the end at whatever hazard to him.
self, whatever cost to his fortunes.
Love is unreasoning and unreasonable
even when unrecognized.
His senses seemed to vibrate with
redoubled activity. to become abnor-
mally acute. For the first time he was
conscious of the imperative clamor Of
the electric bell in O'Hagan's quarters,
as we'll as Of the janitor's rich brogue
voicing his indignation as he opened
the basement door and prepared to as
cend. Instantly the cause Of the dis
turbance flashed upon him.
His strangle hold on Anisty relaxed.
he released the man, and. brows
knitted with the concentration OF his
thoughts, he stepped back and over to
the girl, lifting her hand and gently
taking the revolver from her fingers.
- Below, O'Hagan was parleying
through the closed door with the late
callers. Maitland could have blessed
his hot-headed Irish stupidity for the
delay he was causing.
Already Anisty was on his feet
again, blind with rage and crouchine
as If ready to spring, only restrained
by the sight Of his own revolver.
steady and threatening in Maitland's
hand.
For the least part OF second the
young man hesitated, choosing his
way. Then, resolved, in accents Of
determination: Stand up, you hound"
he cried. Back to the wall there!"
and thrust the weapon under the burg
lars nose.
The move gained instant obedience.
Mr.. Anisty could not reasonably hest
tate IN the face OF such odds.
And you" Maitland continued over
his shoulder to the girl without remov.
ing his attention from the burglar. into
the aicove there, at once! And not
word. not a whisper. not sound until
I call you"
She gave him one frightened and
piteous glance. then. unquestioning,
slipped quietly behind the portieres.
To Anisty, again: Turn your pock.
cts CUT" commanded Maitland.
Quick, you fool! The police are be-
low: your freedom depends on your
haste"
Anisty's hands few to his pockets,
emptying their contents on the hoor.
Maitland's eyes sought in vain the
shape Of the canvas bag. But time
was too precious. Another moments
procrastination and
That will do" he said. crisply,
without raising his voice. Now listen
to me. At the end Of the hall. there.
you'll find . trunk closet, from which
Q window"
Il know"
Naturally you would Now CO."
Anisty waited for no repetition OF
the permission whatever the. mad
ness Of Mad Maitland. he was con-
cerned only to profit BY H. Never BE-
fore had the long arm OF the lav
stretched hungry fingers so near his
collar. He went. springing down the
AaIl in long. soundless strides, vanish
ing into its shadows.
As he disappeared Maitland stepped
To the door. raised his revolver. and
pulled the trigger twice. The shots
de,ouased loudly in that confined space.
and rang coiacident with the clash and
CHATTER OF shivered glass. A thin cloud
oS xapor obscu.ed the doorway. sway
ing on The hot. still air, then parted
ana dissolved. dissipased by the en-
trance Of four mca Who. thrustins the
door violeutiy open. struggled .nto the
hallway. =.
p,ue cloth and brass bs;.ons moved
coaspicuousiy N The van. grim face
flushed and perspirins beneath the he!-
NETS v.zor. 9 revolver poised mcnac'
iosiy 10 one hand, locust as ready IN
the other. Behind this outward and
ytstb,e nanifcststt1a Of the laws
es,ss,y sOesed sSssu esrsy. sSesss