Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-16

lHlO your mouse, SledlS your JcWolo
This is getting tiresome." Maitland
interrupted, CURLY. rs 1t possible
that you suspect me OF conniving at
the theft OF my own property"
Snaiths eyes were keen upon him.
Stranger things have been known
And yet-the motive is lacking. You
are not financially embarrassing
far as we can determine. at least"
Maitland politely interposed his fin
gers between his yawn and the de-
tactive's intent regard. You have
ten minutes more, I'm sorry to say
he said, glancing at the clock.
And there is another point, more
significant yet"
"Ah?"
Eyes" Snaith bent forward, elbows
on knees. hat and cane swinging, eyes
implacable, hard, relentless. "Anisty.'
he said, slowly, left tolerably com
plete burglars kit in your library"
"Well-he's a burglar, isn't he?"
Not that kind" Snaith shook his
head.
But his departure was somewhat
hurried. l can conceive that he might
abandon his kit"
but 1t was not his"
Not Anistys?"
"Anisty does not depend on such
artiquated methods, Mr. Maitland;
save that in extreme instances, with
particularly stubborn safe, he EN-
ploys.a high explosive that, so far as
we can find out, is practically noise
less. It's nature is mystery
But such old-fashioned strong boxes
as yours at Greenfields he opens by
ear, so to speak-listens to the combi
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 Isl
But, cast about at ran
dom, feeling himself cornered-"may
he. not have had accomplices?"
Hes no such fool. Unless he has
gone mad, he worked alone. presume
you discovered no accomplice?"
81? The devil, no."
Snaith smiled mysteriously, then fell
thoughtful, bordering.
You are an enigma" he said, al
length. II can not understand why
you refuse us all information, wher
consider that the jewels were
yours"
care mine," Maitland corrected.
mo longer"
II beg your pardon; l have them"
Snaith shook his head, smiling in
credulously. Maitland flushed with
annoyance and resentment, then or
impulse rose and strobe into the ad
joining bedroom, returning with 8
small canvas bag.
You shall see for yourself" he said
depositing the bag on the desk anG
fumbling with drawstring. eff you viii
be kind enough to step over here"
Mr. Snaith, still unconvinced, hest
tated, then assented, hating a brie1
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 an instant he stood swaying
eyes closed, face robbed of every yes
tige of color, deep lines of agony
craven in his forehead and about bis
mouth: then fell like a 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 hasty examination
'Hope I haven't done for him. i.
1t would be the first time.
Bad precedent! So! He's al
right-conscious within an hour.
Too scon," he added, standing and
! looking GOWN. wen, turn ABOUT IAN
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 a closed door attracted
him; he jerked it open, with an ex
| clamation of relief. 1t gave upon {
large bare room, used by Maitland a:
q trunk closet. Here were stout leath
er straps and cords in ample measure
"Mr. Snaith" selected one from then
quickly but with care, choosing thu
strongest.
In two more minutes, Maitland
trussed, gagged, still unconscious, ant
breathing heavily, occupied dival
In his smoking-room, while his assail
ant, in the bedroom, ears keen t.
| catch the least sound from without
was rapidly and cheerfully arrayinl
himself in the Maitland gray-stripe'
eannels and accessories-eyen to tn