The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-03-05


man In evening clothes. with light
overcoat flying wide open, dashed
across the drawing room straight at
the open window
Lane fired at the nying figure. but
he might as well have aimed at 4
comet. The man was gons like q
AasA Of Hight.
Lanes blood was up with the fir
ing Of the shot. He rushed to the
window, anj firing again as the bur
glar disappeared around the corner.
he juml ed after him but tripped on
the window ledge and landed in
heap. Gathering himself up he
dashed to the corner and almost
into the arms OF Tar who came
running across the street.
Hello, Lane! What are you do
ms out here In pajamas firing your
pistol like wild west show! What
Is up?"
"A burglar! that gentleman bur-
glar who has been robbing us all,
painted Lane. Didn't you see him.
Jepson?"
Il saw fellow in n light-colored
overcoat run around the corner OF
your house, going forty miles an
hour. Just as l heard your last shot.
Is that your mani"
"Yesl" exclaimed Lane. Which
way aid he go?"
He ran diagonally across the
square," answered Jepson. Il
haven't a gun"
You have a stout stick there
though. I'll shoot him and you
beat him over the head. We have
got % get that man, tell you" And
Lane all afire now with the man
hunting instinct, raced across the
square with the unwilling Jepsoo
In his wake.
Hold on" gasped Jepson al
length, holding on his sides. What
Is the good of this. At the rate that
fellow was going. he Is mile Off by
now"
No. he isn't" cried Lane over
his shoulder. He will not dare to
r',n far. 1t Is too conspicuous Az
soon as he gets couple OF blocks
away, and thinks he has given me
the slip. his game will be to stop
running and play the role OF re-
spectacle citizen walking iuietly
hone"
We'll, hold on then" painted Jep-
son. This pace Is killing me. II
he Is still running we have no show.
and II he is walking we can catch
him without breaking our necks."
"All right" said Lane. slowing
down.
Suddenly he seized Jepson by the
arm. There he Isl! he cried ex-
citedly. See! under that street
lamp about two blocks ahead. I
know that coat. He Is walking
slowly. 1 told you SO! Come on!
Come on! Can't you see him?"
In a few moments more they were
about opposite their man.
"That Is the feilow!" whispered
Lane excitedly. Now close in 1
him."
AS Lane spoke the man turned
and saw them advancing on him."
Halt there! or I'll shoot you!"
cried Lane, rushing at him and
waving his PISTOL.
The man wavereu . moment, then
started to run, but the tickle fate
that tripped Lane at the window now
squared accounts by sending the fly
ing man headlong over hydrant
| that stuck up through the sidewalk,
and, before he could right himself,
Lane stood over him with threaten
ing pistol at his head.
Get up!" commanded Lane stern
ly. Put up your hands!"
The man obeyed just as Jepson
came numbering up. I'VE have got
him." he puffed. Il could tell him
by his run"
HE is our man all right" agreed
Lane.
Whom do you think / am, and
what do you want with me?" asked
the man.
I'VE don't think at ALL" snapped
Lane. 1--WE know that you are the
burglar who just left my house by
way of the window, and what we
want with you Is to land you in
jail.
This is absurd" said the man
coolly. Il can easily prove my iden-
tity. My name is Hollis Bailey,
and"
"Oh, no doubt, you have plenty of
Names" put in Jepson, who VS.
strutting about with III the import
ance of a captcr.
DO l look like q burglar?" de-
manded the man.
Yes; we are on to the gentleman
dodge you are playing"
''If you are a reputable citizen you
will be ready to account for your
movements during the last two
hours put in Lane. Where have
you spent them?"
The man hesitated moment and
then said, "that Is matter that