Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-17

prolonged the counterfeit study of the
combination unnecessarily.
Notwithstanding this, she seemed
amazed by the ease with which he solved
it. "Wonderful!' she applauded. whis-
pering. as the heavy door swung outward
without jar.
.'Hush,' he cautioned her.
In his veins that night madness was
running riot, swaying him to its Will
With never a doubt never thought OF
hesitancy, he forged ahead. wilfully
blind to consequences. On the race OF II
he was playing FOOLS part; he knew 1t:
have done other than as he did. Con-
sciously he believed himself to be merely
testing the girl; subconsciously he was
plastic in the grip, of an emotion
stronger than he-mOist clay upon the
potter's whirling wheel
The interior of the safe was revealed
in shape little different from that Of
the ordinary household strong box. There
were several account books, ledgers and
the like. together with some packages of
docketed bills in the pigeon holes. The
cash box. itself a safe within safe.
showed a blank face broken by small
combination dial. Behind this. in Sc
creted compartment, the Maitland heir
! looms languished, half forgotten OF their
needless owner.
The cash-box combination offered less
difficulty than had the outer dial. Matt
land had it open in twinkling. Then,
brazenly lifting out the inner framework.
bodily, he thrust fumbling hand into
the aperture thus disclosed and pressed
the spring, releasing the panel at the
back 1t disappeared as though by
witchcraft, and the splash of light from
the bulIs-eye discovered canvas bag
squatt:ng humbly in the secret compart-
ment-a fat. little canvas bag, consider
ably soiled from much handling. such as
is used by banks for coin; sturdy. mat
ter-of-fact. everyday-sort of canvas bag,
10
of self-importance or ostentation. to be-
tray the fact that 1t was the receptacle
of small fortune.
At Maitland's ear. incredulous, How
did you guess?' she breathed.
He took thought and breath, both
briefly and prevar Gated shameleSSly:
"Bribed the head clerk of the safe manu-
facturer who built this
Rising. he passed over to the center
table. the girl following. Steady with
the light" he whispered. and loosed the
string around the mouth Of the bag,
pouring its contents, a glistening, price
less. flaming. rdiscent treasure horde
upon the table.
oh" said a small voice at his side
Maitland himself was moved by the
wonder of 1t. The jewels seemed to fill
the room with flashing. amazing, corus-
cant glamour. rainboW-like. His breath
came hot and fast as he gazed upon the
calculable even to its owner. AS for the
girl. he thought that the wonder of it
must have struck her dumb. Not sound
came from the spot where she stood.
Then, abruptly the sun went out-at
least. such was the effect: the light of
the hand lamp vanished utterly. leaving
a party-colored blur swimming again
the impenetrable blackness before his
eyes.
His lips opened. bu. small hand fell
firmly upon his own and a tiny, tremu-
lous whisper shrilled in his ear.
..H1na, hush"'
STEADY some one coming
He heard the dull musical clash of them
as her hands swept them back into the
bag. and cold. sickenng fear rendered
him almost faint with the sense of trust
misplaced, illusions resolved into brutal
realities. His fingers closed convulsively
about her wrists; but she held passive
'Ah. but l might have expected that!'
came her reproachful whisper. Take
them. then, my-my partner that was.
Her tone cut like knife. and the touch
of the canvas bag as she forced it into
his hands, was hateful to him.
Forgive me- he began
But listenr'
For a space he obeyed the silence at
hrst seeming tremendous: then. faint but
distinct. he heard the tinkle and slide of
the brazen rings supporting the smoking
room portiere.
His hand sought the girls: she had not
moved. and the cool, firm pressure of her
fingers steadied him. He thought quickly.
Quick he told her in the least of
whispers. Leave by the window you
opened and wait for me by the motor
car"
Nor
There was no time to demonstrate with
her Already he had slipped away. shap-
ing course for the entrance to the pas
sage. But the dominant thought In his
mind was that at all costs the girl must
be spared the exposure. She was to be
saved. whatever the hazard. After
ward 80
The tapestry rustled. but he was yet
too far distant to spring. He crept on
with the crouching, vicious attitude, men