Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-01-25
The Burglary in
Lark Spur Lane

Iarkspur Lane, with It's three de
tached villas, was deserted and silent.
The postman had left the last post at
"Moneta" and "Delphinum," and
trudged YEARLY away. A policeman
had straycd down the road short dis
lance, and had thrown his lantern neg
llgently on the oak fencing, and then
he, too, had turned back to the main
road and Eliza, the cook, at "Naleyian
villa who awaited him.
Nothing broke the calm of Larkspur
Lane, for the figure that entered 1t
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 n
premeditated plan. He glanced up and
down the little cul -de-sac and then
threw his leg over tho oak fencing and
dropped on the other side Here he
paused listening, but no sound came
from "Monetah to disturb him. Who
ever the intruder might be. he evidently
knew his ground, and had studied his
plan Of campaign with asslduty 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 q short ladder. The incredible
noiselessness OF his movements would
have astounded a watcher. He walked
UP to the house and planted the ladder
against a window Again he paused To
listen, and then ran lightly up It. The
window was omen, and he swung him
self into the house Swiftly he sped
upstairs. The house had evidently no
more secrets than the garden had held
for him. On the next landing he stopped
a moment outside a door, his ear to
the jamb, then he opened It, closed It
after hIlp, and walked straight over
to chest that stood beneath the dress
ing table, From the pocket OF his long
coat he produced a steel chlsel. the
chest emitted one sharp, startling crack
before the lid few open.
The intruder glanced hastily to the
door before he plunged his hand amid
the contents of the box. Papers letters
ne cast upon the floor, then held a
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. lie
rose from his knee, and lndiscrminate-
ly swept brooches, bangles, a little gold
watch. necklace, and ring o. so
Into a bag
The thief looked round the room with
a smile, and then opening the door.
made his way downstairs. But the re-
turn journey was fated to be holster
than his advent. AS he passed the bath
room he jabbed his foot with a crash
against a can.
"Lawks Who's there?" cried a
voice from within.
The man did not answer, but sped on
with a laugh
Whoever had heard him crash into
the can evidently heard his laugh as
well, and did not recognize II, for be
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.
'Murder!" shrleked the servant glrl
from the bathroom. Fire"
The still laughing burglar slid TO the
ground, but not before there came 8
mans voice from the garden.
what is III" he called. coming ran
idly nearer. what is It, Mary? Wher,
are your
'SThe bathroom. sir" came the muf
fed reply. as decency overcame incli
nation.
The man In the garden watched ,
male form pass the window he ha,
tnat Quilted he scaled the nallng