Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-09-23

the stream OF moonlight through the
open window and skyward to its
source. Yes. 1 am something Of q
poet-but with a practical bent"
so saying, he turned and followed
the luminous stream in its path
through the darkness OF the room. At
the table. polished top aglow in the
light, he selected a cigarette, stepped
then to the buffet. and poured out a
sip Of brandy.
Still without a 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 vapor, dissolved lazily,
and. like winding ribbons Of silver,
| reeled sinuously into the darkness.
Not 30 much as the flutter of a
leaf" he thought. Il can almost hear
the flowing stream of moonlight ST.
lence seems to have drugged the"
He strained forward and listened.
From some indeterminable part of the
mousse came low tapping, as of
breeze-swayed bough on window pane.
The sound continued only moment,
| however, and Hadley's interest sank
70 hstless curiosity, and thence to
| fofgetfulness. 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
Mashed, comet-like, through the win
dow; and Hadley, with a satisfied ex-
halation Of the last pun of smoke.
rose and stood moment, refilling his
lungs from the sweet night air.
What night" he thought.
In nearby chamber a door creaked.
and quickly, noiselessly, he darted into
the folds of heavy portiere. Peer
Ing cautiously from his hiding place,
he smiled and exclaimed, silently:
by Jove! A burglar!"
For 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,
pat or cat-like tread drew nearer and
paused, and Hadley. with excited
amusement, could almost feel the fin
ger OF light exploring his hiding
place. moment later he saw it on
the wall near him, and then it darted
through the doorway into the library.
followed by the cat-like tread.
| Warily the watcher stepped from the
curtain, the thick carpet yielding ST.
leptly to the pressure of his feet. To
the library door he advanced. and
| SCARCELY
room, ready to draw back his head IL
the Hitting light should turn toward
his direction.
Curlously he followed the shaft of
light. which, like a long, slender and
incredibly nimble proboscis. guided by
a dimly and grotesquely outlined mon.
ster. was exploring every nook and
Granny OF the large room.
On desk, which filed q corner with
It's oaken bulk, the light had settled i.
from top to bottom, from side to side
lingering drawer after drawer II
moved. Apparently interested the
monster behind the light advanced to
the table and placed his keen-eyed as.
slstant on the top, and then followed
the low ring OF metal on metal.
The burglar turned with a snarI
his right hand flying toward a side
pocket. but he stiffened suddenly into
d rlsld, crouching statue at sight of a
revolver cleaning in the path of the
hght-a revolver, a hand. and part of
an arm-back OF which doomed n dim
| shadow.
Sorry, old mani" the taunt,n,
Voice repeated. The revolver. hand
and arm were unwavering-madden.
ingly so.
What the h"
Hands I'm front-up!"
The burglars hands went I'M
Now lower them just enough 10
Jake on your coat-Be careful
mere, toss it to me. Now turn around
all the way. Good-no projections
about the hips. SIT down ON tba,
desk stool. And raised your mask q
trifie-raise 1t. say,-Horrors, Low
or it-quick!" The taunt in Uad
Ieys voice brought the unhattered bur.
glar to his feet. but the revolver mo.
toned him back.
The captor laughed softly. then
placed the coat on the table and he.
gan to tumble through the opckets
careful all tho time, however. TO keen
at least one eye on the captive
revolver came from one side pocket
followed by bunch Of KEYS. Hadlev
gave these articles hardly a glance.
and sought another pocket.
"Ah, here we are!"
First came a necklace, and. in spite
OF himself, Hadley's eyes were drawn
to the string Of flashing gems. before
which the lantern light became pale
and lusterless. Again the scowIinp
spectator sprang to his feet. and again
the revolver motioned him back.
N.Y." Hadley exclaimed "You are
| paInstaking burglar To prowl fhrnnrh