Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-04

you Uupe0 me neatly this oi'e'
that supposed you were wise ana
only afraid that I'd give you what you
! deserve. n they had sent any one Du.
that stupid ass. Hickey. to nab me- u
be in the cooler now. AS II was. you
kindly selected the very best KIM OF
q house for my purpose: l went
straight up to the roofs ana on.
through building round the corner.
But the shock of discovery. with It's
attendant revulsion OF feeling. haa
been too much for her She collapsed
suddenly In the chair eyes hall CLOSED.
face pallid as . mask OF death.
Anisty regarded her in silence FOR q
meditative instant, then, taking up
the lamp. strobe down the hall 70 the
pantry. returning presently with a
glass trimming with an am5er-tinted'
efferveseent liquid.
Champagne" he announced. licking
his lips. Wish | had Maitland's
means to crafty my palate. He knows
good wine. Here. my dear. guip this
down." placing the glass to the eiris
lips and raising her head that she
might swallow without strangling.
As It was. she chOked and gasped,
but after a moment began to show
some signs Of having benefited by the
draught, a faint color dawning in her
cheeks.
That's some better" commended
the burglar, not unkindly. Now, II
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. I appreciate pluck and grit rs
mach rs anybody, guess. though l do
think you ran it pretty close. peach
ing on a 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"
Il suppose not. I'm not much good
splitting sentimental hairs. But Malt
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. l 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.
Il won't tell yen
Won't Ell? That's an admission
that they're here. you know. And you
may as well know | 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 met"
Let me CO."
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 shout
ders. You little fool!"
Mo-" she cried. mo. no, no! Let
me so, 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 a little fool" he coun-
seled. You kick up that row and
you'll have us both pinched inside Of
the next i've minutes"
Defiance was on her tongues tip,
but the truth in his words gave her
pause. Palpi:ating with the shock.
every outraged instinct a-quiver, she
subdued herself and fell back, eying
him fxedly.
They're here" he nodded thought
fully. You wouldn't have stood for
that II they weren't. And since they
are. can find them without your as
sistance. Sit down I shsn't touch
yol again"
She had scant choice other than
to obey. Desperate as she was. her
strength had been severely osertaxed.
and she might not presume upon II
too greatly. Fascinated with terror.
she let herself down into an easy
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