Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-27


herself again in the study, and now
boldly. mind at rest. lighted the brass
student lamp with the green shade,
which she discovered on the desk.
Standing, hands resting lightly on
hips, breath coming quickly. cheeks
flushed and eyes ahght with some IN.
innate and inscrutable emotion. she
surveyed the room. Dat OF the dusk
that lay beyond the plash Of illumina-
ton beneath the lamp. the furniture
began to take on familiar shapes, the
divans, the heavy leather-cushioned
easy chairs the tall clock with It's pal
lid staring face, the small tables ana
tabouI cites. handiiy disposed for the
reception Of books and magazines ana
pipes and glasses. the towering, old
fashioned mahogany book case. the
useless, ornamental, beautiful Chlp-
pendale escritoire. In one corner: all
somber.y Swallowed and all combining
to dlYuSe an Impression Of quiet. easy
going comfort.
Just such q study as he would natur-
ally have She nodded silent approba
ton of it as a whole. And. nodding.
sat down at the desk. planting elbows
on It's polished surface. interlacing her
fingers and grading her chin upon
their backs. turned suddenly pensive.
The mood held her but briefly. She
had no time to waste. and much to
accomplish. Sitting back,
her fingers sought and pressed the
clasp of her handbag and produced
two artic!es-a golden cigarette case
and a slightly soilcd canvas bag. The
Maitland jewels We're returning by a
devious way. to the their owner
But where to put them. that he
might find them without delay? 1t
must be no conspicuous place. where
OHagan would be apt to happen upon
them: doubtless the janitor was trust
worthy. but still Misplaced
opportunities breed criminals.
1t was all risk to leave the treas
ure there. without the protection OF
nickeled-steel walls and timelccks;
but risk that must be taken. She
dared not retain 1t longer In her pos
session: and she would ccrtrire way
In the morning to communicate with
Maitland and warn him.
Her gaze searched the area where
the lamDlight fell soft yet strong upon
the dark shining wood and heavy
brass desk fittings: and paused. ar
rested by the unusual combination Of
inverted bowl and super-imposed book.
A riddle to be read with facility; in a
twinkl.ng she had uncovered the in
eliminating NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
If It could be traced. that is to say.
Oh" she cried. softly. And laughed
q little "Oh. how careless"
Fine brows puckered, she pondered
the matter. and ended by placing her
own hand over the print; this one
fitted the other exactly.
How he must have wondered. &.
He is sure to look again, espe-
c.aliy if"
No need to conclude the sentence.
Quickly she placed bag and case
squarely on top OF the impression. the
bowl over all. and the book upon the
bowl; then. drawing from her pocket
a pair OF long gray silk gloves, draped
one across the book; and, head tilted
to one side, admired the effect.
Ii seemed decidedly an artistic ef-
feet. admirably calculated to attract
attention She was satisfied to the
point Of being pleased with herself; a
fact indicated by an expressive futter
of slim. fair hands. And now. to work!
Time pressed, and A cloud Hmmed
the radiance Of her eyes; irresolutely
she shifted In her chair. troubled.
frowning. lips woefuliy dropping. And
sighed And a still small whisper.
broken and wretched. disturbed the
Quie; of the study.
Il can not, o, I can not! To spoil
1t all, now when"
Yet she must She must forget her
self and steel her determination with
the memory that another's happiness
hung in the balance. depended upon
her success. Twice she had tried and
failed. This third time she must sue
coed
And bowling her head in token Of her
resignation. she turned back squarely
to face the desk As she did SO the
toe of one small shoe caught against
something on the floor. causing
dull jingling sound. She stopped. with
a low exclamation. and Strengthened
up. a small bunch Of keys in her hand;
eigh, or ten of them dangling from .
silver ring: Maitland's keys
He must have dropped them there.
forgetting them altogether. A hnd OF
value and one to save her deal Of
trouble: skeleton keys are SO exas-
peratingiy slow. particularly when used
by inexpert hands. Blu. how TO bring
herself TO make use Of these? Ais
fair in war land this was a sort Of
var. a war Of wits at least; but one
should fight with ones own arms. not
pi!fer the enemny's and turn them
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