Mexico Missouri message., 1908-09-03

the stream OF moonlight through the
open window and skyward to its
source. Yes, I am something OF a
poet-but with a practical bent"
So saying. he turned and followed
the luminous stream in It's path
through the darkness Of the room. At
the table, polished top aglow in the
light, he selected cigarette, stepped
then to the buffet, and poured out a
sip of brandy.
Still without light, he drew a chair
TO the edge OF the streaming moon.
beams. and seating himself. smiled
into the night, enjoying his moon.fan-
cies. His smoke rings shimmered in
the glowing yapor, dissolved lazily.
and. like winding ribbons OF silver,
reeled sinuously into the darkness.
mot so much as the flutter of a
leaf, he thought. Il can almost hear
the flowing stream Of moonlight 81.
lence seems to have drugged the"
He strained forward and listened.
From some Understandable part Of the
house came a low tapping, as OF
breeZe-swayed bough on window pane.
The sound continued only a moment.
however. and Hadley's isterest sank
TO listless curiosity. and thence 10
forgetfulness. The moonbeams crept
down from the buffet, crept past the
table, past Hadley through the open
window. and up, slowly higher and
higher, till the upper easement hid
the last of them.
A little longer the glow OF the Gig.
arctic palpitated In the darkness, then
flashed, comet.like, through the win.
dow; and Hadley, with a satisfied ex-
halation of the last pun OF smoke.
rose and stood a moment, refilling his
lungs from the sweet night air.
What night" he thought.
In a nearby chamber door creaked,
and quickly, noiselessly. he darted into
the folds Of a heavy portiere. Peer.
Ing cautiously from his hiding place,
he smiled and exclaimed. silently:
by Jove! A BURGLAR"
For a thin shaft OF light, crossing
the doorway leading into the hall,
darted left, right, up. down, like a fur.
tive glance. then vanished. The pat.
paused, and Hadley, with excited
amusement. could almost feel the fin,
ger OF light exploring his hiding
place. A moment later he saw II on
the wall near him, and then 1t darted
through the doorway into the library
followed by the cat.like tread.
Warily the watcher stepped from the
f.gA -
lently to the pressure Of his feet. To
the library door he advanced, and,
scarcely breathing, peered into the
room. ready to draw back his head II
the fitting light should turn toward
his direction.
Curiously he followed the shaft OF
light, which, like long. slender and
incredibly nimble proboscis, guided by
dimly and grotesquely outlined mon,
ster, was exploring every nook and
Granny Of the large room.
On n desk, which filed a corner with
Its oaken bulk, the light had settled
from top to bottom, from side 10 side
lingering drawer after drawer II
moved. Apparently interested, the
monster behind the light advanced to
the table and placed his keen.eyed as
sistant on the top, and then followed
the low ring of metal on metal.
The burglar turned with a snarl
his right hand flying toward a side
pocket. but he stiffened suddenly into
a rigid. crouching statue at sight OF q
revolver cleaning in the path OF the
light-a revolver, n hand and part OF
an Rrm-back Of which doomed a din
! shadow.
Sorry. old mani" the tauntins
voice repeated. The revolver. HAND
and arm were unwayerIng-madden
ingly so.
What the h"
Hands IN front-up!"
The burglars hands went up.
Now lower them Just enough e
take of your coat-Be careful!
There, toss 1t to me. Now turn AROUND
all the way. Good--no projections
about the hips. Sit down on thar
desk stool. And raised your mask
trife-raise II, say!-Horrors. Low
er it-quick!" The taunt in Had
ley's voice brought the unfiattered bur
glar TO his feet, but the revolver mo
toned him back.
The captor laughed softly, ther
placed the coat on the table and be
gan to tumble through the opckets
careful all the time. however, to keey
at least one eye on the captive. A
revolver came from one side pocket
followed by bunch Of keys. Hadie,
gave these articles hardly a glance
and sought another pocket.
"Ah. here We are!"
First came a necklace, and, in spit,
OF himself. Hadley's eyes were. draw
to the string OF flashing gems, befor,
which the lantern light became nal,
and lusterless. Again the scowlin,
spectator sprang to his feet. and RgaiI
the revolver motioned him back.
My" Hadiey exclaimed. You ar,