The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-09-26

But it was not his"
"Not Anisty's?"
"Anisty does not depend on such
artiquated methods, Mr.. Maitland:
save that in extreme instances, with
q particularly stubborn safe, he EN-
.ploys high explosive that, so far as
we can find out, is practically noise
less. Its nature is a mystery
But such old-fashioned st=ong-box
as yours at Greent1elds he opens by
ear, SO to speak-listens to the comb
nation. He was once an expert, repu
tably employed by prominent firm
OF safe manufacturers, in whose ser
vice he gained the skill that has made
him-what he u.s."
But, "-Maitland cast about at ran.
dom. feeling himself cornered-"may
he not have had accomplices?"
He's no such fool. Unless he has
gone mad, he worked alone. presume
you discovered no accomplice?"
II? The devil, MOI"
Snaith smiled mysteriously, then fell
thoughtful, bordering.
"You are an enigma" he said, at
length. Il can not understand why
you refuse us all information, when
consider that the jewels were
yours"
"Are mine," Maitland corrected.
mo longer"
II beg your pardon; have them"
Snaith shook his head, smiling in
credulously. Maitland flushed with
q annoyance and resentment, then on
T impulse rose and strobe into the adj
Joining bedroom, returning with a
small canvas bag.
You shall see for yourself" he said,
depositing the bag on the desk and
fumbling with drawstring. IF you will
be kind enough to step over here"
Mr.. Snaith, still unconvinced, hest.
'tated, then assented, hating a brief
distance from Maitland and toying alb.
stractedly with his cane while the
young man plucked at the drawstring.
"Deuced tight knot, this" com.
mented Maitland, annoyed.
mo matter. Don't trouble, please.
I'm quite satisfied, believe me-"
ooh, you are!"
Maitland turned; and in the act Of
turning, the loaded head of the cane
landed with crushing force upon his
temple.
For IN instant he stood swaying,
eyes closed, face robbed of every yes.
tige of color, deep lines of agony
craven in his forehead and about his
mouth; then fell like lifeless thing,
limp and invertebrate.
The soi.disant Mr.. snaith caught
him and let him gently and without
sound to the floor.
Poor fool!" he commented, kneel.
ing to make a hasty examination.
Hope haven't done for him. {.
It would be the first time. :.
Bad precedent! So! He's all
right-conscious within an hour. :.
Too soon!" he added, standing and
looking down. ''Well, turn about's fair
play"
He swung On his heel and entered
the hallway, pausing at the door long
enough to shoot the bolt; then passed
hastily through the other chambers,
searching, to Judge by his manner.
In the end closed door attracted
him; he jerked it open, with an ex-
clamation of relief It gave upon a
large bare room, used by Maitland as
. trunk closet. Here were stout leath-
or straps and cords in ample measure.
"Mr. Snaith" selected one from them
quickly but with care, choosing the
strongest.
In two moro minutes, Maitland,
trussed, gagged, still unconscious, and
breathing heavily, occupied a divan
in his smoking-room, while his assail-
ant, in the bedroom, ears keen to
catch the least sound from without,
was rapidly and cheerfully arraying
himself in the Maitland gray.striped
hannels and ACKNOWLEDGMENT to the
gray socks which had been specified.
"The less chances one takes, the
better" soliloquized "Mr. Snaith."
He stood erect, in another mans
shoes, squaring back his shoulders,
discarding the Disgusting stoop, and
confronted his image in pier-glass.
Good enough Maitland" he com.
mented with a little satisfied nod to
his counterfeit presentment. But
we'll make it better STILL"
A single quick jerk denuded his up.
per lip; he slowed the mustache care.
fully away in his breast pocket. The
moistened corner of towel make
quick work of the crows feet about his
eyes, and, simultaneously, robbed him
Of a dozen apparent years. A pair Of
yellow chamois gloves. placed couyen-