The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1909-07-29
CHAPTER VliI.-Continued.

absence and returned gems.
CHAPTER Vlii.-Continued.
But where to put them, that he
might find them without delay? 1t
must be no conspicuous place, where
OHagan would be apt to happen upon
them: doubtless the janitor was trust
worthy, but still Misplaced
opportunities breed criminals.
1t was all risk to leave the treas
IRE there, without the protection of
nickelcdsteel walls and timelocks;
but risk that must be taken. She
dared not retain 1t longer in her pos
session; and she would cOntrive way
in the morning to communicate with
Maitland and warn him.
Her gaze searched the area where
the lamplight fell soft yet strong upon
the dark shining wood and heavy
brass desk fittings: and paused, ar.
rested by the unusual combination of
inverted bowl and superimposed book.
A riddle to be read with facility; in Il
twinkling she had uncovered the in.
eliminating hand-print-incrimin
If it could be traced, that is to say.
oh" she cried, softly. And laughed
little. "Oh. how careless!"
Fine brows puckered. she pondered
the matter, and ended by placing her
own hand over the print; this one
fitted the other exactly.
How he must have wondered! =.
He is sure to look again, espc.
cially if"
No need to conclude the sentence.
Quickly she placed bag and case
squarely on top of the impression, the
bowl over all, and the book upon the
bowl; then, drawing from her pocket
a pair Of long gray silk gloves, draped
one across the book: and, head tilted
to one side, admired the effect.
1t seemed decidedly an artistic eff
feet admirably calculated to attract
attention. She was satisfied to the
! point of being pleased with herself; n
! fact indicated by an expressive ilutter
of slim, fair hands. And now. tn work!
| Time pressed, and A cloud dimmed
the radiance of her eyes: irresolutely
| she shifted in her chair, troubled
frowning, lips woefully dropping. And
sighed. And still small whisper,
broken and wretched. disturbed the
| quiet Of the study.
II can not! o. l can not! To spoil
il all, now. when"
Yet she must. She must forget her
self and steel her determination with
the memory that anOther's happiness
hung in the balance, depended upon
! L. tut chn had frinI NJ
failed This third time she must sue
coed.
And bowling her head In token Of her
resignation. she turned back squarely
to face the desk. AS she did so the
toe of one small shoe caught against
something on the floor, causing
dull jingling sound. She stopped, with
low exclamation, and Strengthened
up. a small bunch of keys In her hand;
eight or ten OF them dangling from a
silver ring; Ma!tland's keys.
He must have dropped them there,
forgetting them altogether. A find Of
value and one to save her a deal of
trouble: skeleton keys are so eXas-
peratingly slow, particularly when used
by inexpert hands. But how to bring
herself to make use OF these? AIS
fair in war land this was sort of
war; a war of wits at leasD; but one
should fight with ones own arms, not
pilfer the cncmny's and turn them
against him. To use these keys to
ransack Maitland's desk seemed an
action ever more blackly dishonorGble
than this clandestine visit sais mid
night foray.
Swinging the nOtchcd metal slips
from Il slender finger, she contem'
Plated them; and laughed ruefully.
What qualms of conscience In a burg
lar, selr-confessed She was there for
a purpose, a recognized, nefarous pur.
pose. Granted Then why bubble?
She would not bubble. She would be
firm, resolute, determined, cold
blooded, unmindful Of all kindness and
courtesy and She would use them
accomplish her purpose, and have
done, finally and for ever. with the
whole hateful businessl