The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-02-06
The Burglary in
Lark Spur Lane

Larkspur Lane. with its three de-
tached villas. was deserted and silent.
The postman had left the last post at
ssMoneta" and ~Delphinium," and
trudged wsarfly away. A policeman
had strayed down the road a short dis
lance, and had thrown bis lantern neg
1igently on the oak fencing. and then
he, toe. had turned back to the main
road and Eliza. the cook, at "valevian
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 a
premeditated plan He glanced up and
down the little cul-desac. and then
threw his leg over the oak fencing and
dropped on the other side Here he
paused listening but no sound came
from -Monetav to disturb him. Who
ever the Intruder might be. he evidently
knew his ground, and had studied his
plan Of campaign with assiduity. 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 I
rying short ladder The Incredible /
nolselessness Of his movements would /
have astounded 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 open. and he swung him
self into the house. Swiftly he sped
upstairs. The house had evidently no
more secrets than the garden had held
or him On the next landing he stopped
4 moment outside door. his ear to
he jamb then be opened it, closed It
lfter him, and walked straight over
o chest that stood beneath the dress
ng table. From the pocket Of his long
oat he produced steel chiseI. the
hest emitted one sharp. startling crack
'efore the lid few Open
The Intruder glanced hastily to the ,
Loor before be plunged bis hand amid .
he contents Of the box. Papers. letters.
10 cast upon the floor. then held a
arge bundle up In the moonlight and !
ooked at 1t carefully. Apparently be
Fas satisfied with his scrutiny. for he !
ropped the packet into bis pocket. He
ose from his knee, and indlscrIminate- \
= swept brooches, bangles. little gold :
Tatch. a necklace. and ring o. so 6
nto a bag.
The thief looked round the room with
smile, and then opening the door
iade his way downstairs. But the re- h
urn journey was fated to be holster "
han bis advent AS he passed the bath -
pom he jabbed his foot with q crash D,
gainst can. m
"Lawksl Who's thereY' cried a
dice from within. 10
The man dld not answer, but sped on
18th a laugh.
Whoever bad heard him crash into .,
ie can evidently heard his laugh as II
ell, and did not recognize It, for he ,s
card the bathroom window hastily
lrown up. He flung his handkerchief at,
1er the lower part Of his face as be 81
imbed out to bis ladder.
Murder r. shrieked the servant girl =,
ON the bathroom. 1Firepv
The still laughing burglar slid to the ia
'ound, but not before there came a ~
ans voice from the garden. N
what is itr he called. coming rap ~
ly nearer. what is 1t, Mary7 Where N
o your a.
THE bathroom, air. came the muf-
d reply, as deceny overcams incli- Ia
Itson. =.
Tbs man In the garden watched a
ale form pass the window he had
Il auikfsd He scaled tho nsiinxs hi