Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-20

LOT feature ne was tire
part of tho man before him; in a word.
here was the real Anisty.
The wonder of 1t all saved the day for
Maitland; Anistys establishment was sin
cere and the more complete in that, unlike
| Maitland, he had been unprepared to find
any one in the library.
For a mere second his gaze left Matt
land and travelled on to the girl. then to
! the rified safe-taking in the whole sig
nifcance of the scene. When he spoke,
it was as If dazed
Try God!' he eried-or, rather, the
syllables seemed to jump from his lips
lilCe bullets from gun.
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 Meth
er. Then the burglars collar slipped and
somehow tore from its stud, giving Matt
lands hands freer play. His grasp tight
ened about the mans gullet; he shook
him mercilessly. Anisty staggered, gasp
ing, reeled, struck Maitland once or twice
upon the chest,-feeble, weightless elbow
jabs that went for nothing, then concen-
trated his energies in a vain attempt to
wrench the hands from his throat. Reel
ing, tearing at Maitlands wrists. face en-
purpling, eyes staring In agony, he STUN
bled. Mercilessly Maitland forced him
to his knees and bullied him across the
floor toward the nearest lounge-wtth
premeditated design; finally succeeding
in throwing him fiat; and knelt upon his
chest retaining his grip but refrainins
from throttling him.
AS it was, all strength and thought of
AaH .o1,al a ,art Of nj
He lay at length, gasping painfully.
Maitland glanced over his shoulders ana
saw the girl moving forward apparently
making for the switch.
MOI he cried, peremptory. Don't
turn off the light-please!"
But" she doubted.
LET me have curtain cords, If you
please" he requested shortly.
She fonowed his gaze to the windows
! Interpreted his wishes, and was very
quick 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
well adapted to Maitland's needs. Uncere-
moniously 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.
| HIS handS the nrSI TO De secured anC
| tightly, behind his back, AniSty lay help
less, glazing vindictively the while gradu-
ally he recovered consciousness anc
strength. Maitland cared Little for his evil
glances; he was busy. The -drglar's
ankles were next bound together and to
/ the lounge leg; and, an instant later,
brace of half-stitches about the man's
neck and the nearest support entirely
eliminated him a possible factor in sub
| sequent events
Those loops around your throat" Matt
land warned him curtly, ARE loose
enough now, but if you struggle they'll.
! tighten and strangle you. Understand
| Anisty nodded. making an incoherent
sound with his swollen tongue. At which
| Maitland frowned, smitten thoughtful
with a new consideration.
You mustn't talk. you know" he
unused half aloud: and. whipping forth a
| handkerchief. gagged Mr.. Anisty.
| After which, breathing hard In a maze
of perplexity, he got to his feet. AL
ready his hearing, quickened by the
emergency. had appraised him of the sit
uation's imminent hazards. 1t needed not
| the girls hurried whisper, The ser.
| vants! to warn him of their danger.
From the rear wing of the mansion the
sounds of hurrying feet were distinctly
audible, as, presently, were the heavy.
/
and frightened cries of women.
! Needless of her displeasure, Maitland
seized the girl by the arm and urged
4 her over to the open window
! Don't hang back! he told her neT-
vously. You must get out Of this before
| they see you. Do as l tell you, please.
and wen save ourselves yet! If 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 in
dictated, with a 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.
straight folds; Maitland stilled their
| swaying with touch, and stepped bach
into the room. For a moment he caught
the eye of the fellow on the floor; and 1t
was upturned to his, sardonically tntelli-
gent But the lord of the manor had
Abruptly the door was flung wide and
a frantic stout man, clutching up his
trousers with frantic hand. burst into
the library, brandishing overhead ram
pant revolver.
lands hupI' he cried, leveling at Matt
land. And then, with fallen counte-
nsncse; "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 COB
bier, and his eyes bulged as, by degrees
he became alive to the situation.
Maitland begun to explain, forestalline
the endorsements of cross-examination
"By the merest accident, Higgins, was
passing in my car with party Of friends
Just for a joke thought I'd steal UP tc
the house and see how you were behaving
yourselves. BY chance-again-I happened
to see this light through the library win
dows." 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 him
self 1T was just in time"
my wor-r-rdr' said Higgins, with
emotion. Then quickly: Did e get any
thin do voII think sir7'