Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-18
1V-Continued.
Louis Joseph Vance,

1V-Continued.
The words shattered the tableau On
their echo Maitland sprang and fastened
his fingers around the others throat
Carried off his feet by the sheer ferocity
OF the assault, Anisty gave ground lit
tie. For an instant they were swaying
back and forth. with advantage to
neither. Then the burglars collar slip
ped and somehow tore from it's stud, CIV
Ing Maitland's hands freer play. His
grasp frightened about the mans gullet:
he shook him mercilessly. Anisty stag
gered, gasping. reeled, struck Maitland
once or twice upon the chest-feeble.
we1ghtless elbow jabs that went for moth
ing. then concentrated his energies In a
vain attempt to wrench the hands from
his throat. Keeling. tearing at Matt
lands wrists. face enpurpling. eyes star
ing in agony, he stumbled. Mercilessiy
Maitland forced him to his knees and
bullied him across the floor toward the
nearest lounge-with premeditated de-
sign: finally succeeding in throwing him
nat and knelt upon his chest. retaining
his grip, but refraining from throttling
him.
AS it was all Strength and thought of
resistance had been choked out of Anisty.
He lay at length, gasping painfully.
Maitland glanced over HIS shoulders ana
saw the girl move forward, apparently
making for the switch.
Mo- he cried, peremptory. Don't
turn of the light-please!'
But" she doubted.
Let me have those curtain cords, IL
you please" he requested. shortly.
She followed his gaze to the windows.
rod hiC NIL oh q mr. wa
to carry them out. In trice she was
Offering him half a dozen Of the heavy.
twisted silk cords that had been used to
loop back the curtains.
Soft. yet strong, they were excellently
we'll adapted to Maitlands needs. I'm
tremendously he swung his captive over
on his side. bringing his neck and ankles
in juxtaposition to the legs of that sub
stantial piece Of furniture, the lounge.
tightly behind his back. Anisty lay help
less. glaring vindictively the while
gradually he recovered consciousness and
strength. Maitland cared little for his
evil glances: he was busy. The burglar 8
the lounge leg: and. an instant later. a
brace of half bitches about the man
neck and the nearest support entirely
eliminated him as a possible factor in
subsequent events.
Those loops around your throat" Malt
land warned him. CURLY. ARE loose
enough now. but II you struggle they'll
tighten and strange you. Understand"
Anisty nodded. making an incoherent
sound with his swollen tongue. At which
Maitland frowned, smitten thoughtfJi
with a new consideration.
You mustn't talk. you know" -
unused. half aloud. and. whipping forth a
handkerchief, gagged Mr.. Anisty.
After which breathing hard and in a
maze Of perplexity, he got to his feet.
a III
emergency. had apprised him of the
situations imminent hazards. It needed
not the girls hurried whisper. 1.-THE
servants!" to warn him of their danger.
sounds of hurrying feet were distinctly
audible. as, presently. were the heavy.
excited voices Of men and the more shrill
and frightened cries of women.
Needless Of her displeasure. Maitland
seized the girl by the arm and urged her
over to the open window. Don't hang
back!" he told her. nervously. You must
get out of this before they see you. Do
as I tell you. please, and we'll save our
selves yet! II we both make a run for it
we're lost. Don't you understand"
mo. Why?' she. demanded, reluctant,
spirited. obstinate-and lovely in his eyes.
IF he were anybody else" Maitland
indicated. with jerk Of his head toward
the burglar. But didn't you see? He
must be Maitland-and he's my double.
I'll stay, brazen it out, then, as soon as
possible. make my escape and join you
by the gate. Your motors there-what?
Be ready for me. :"
But she had grasped his intention and
was suddenly become plant to his will.
YOU'RE wonderful!' she told him with a
little low laugh, and was gone. silently
as a spirit
The curtains fell behind her in long
swaying with touch and stepped back
into the room. For moment he caught
the eye of the fellow on the floor, and it
was upturned to his. sardonically intelli-
gent. But the lord of the manor had lit
tie time to debate consequences.
Abruptly the door was flung wide and a
short. stout man. clutching up his trous-
ers with frantic hand, burst into the IL
brary. brandishing overhead a rampant
revolver.
lands hup.' he cried. leveling at Matt
land. And then, with fallen coun-
tenance. "G-r-r-reat 'eavins, sir. You,
Mister Maitland. sir"
"Ah. Higgins" his employer greeted the
butler blandly.
Higgins pulled up, thunderstruck. pant
ing and perspiring with agitation. His fat
cheeks quivered like the wattles of a
gobbler. and his eyes bulged as, by de-
grees. he became alive to the situation.
Maitland began to explain, forestalling
ton.
by the merest accident Higgins l was
passing In my car with party of friends.
Just for joke 1 thought I'd steal up to
the house and see how you were behaving
yourselves. BY chance-again-I hap
pened to see this light through the library
windows" And Maitland. putting an in
cautious hand upon the bull on the
desk. withdrew it instantly, with an ex-
clamation of annoyance and four scorched
fingers.
Hes been at the safe, he added,
quickly, diverting attention from himself.
Il was just in time.'
my wor-r-rd!' said Higgins, with emo
ton. Then quickly: Ibid 'eaet anythin'.
do you think, sir?"
Maitland shook his head, scowling over
the buffers burly shoulders at the rapidly
augmenting concourse of servants in the
hallway-lackeys, grooms. maids. cooks
and what-nOt-a background of pale.
scared faces to the tableau in the library.
This won't do considered Maitland
Get back. all of your he ordered. stern
ly. indicating the group with a dominant
and inflexible forefnger. Those who
are wanted will be sent for Now go!
Higgins you may stay"
Eyes, sir. Yes. sir. But wot an 'orrid
'appenin. sir. ii you'll permit me-"
II won't. Be quiet and listen. This
man is Anisty-Handsome Dan Anisty
the notorious Jewel thief, wanted badly
by the police of a dozen cities. You I'M
derstand? i" I'd" I'm going now to motor
to the village and get the const ables:
may" he invented. desperately. "be de-