Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-17

mechanically. why do you call me that,
please? Have we met before?.I could
swear. never before this night"
but you are altogether too modest
she laughed. Not that it's bad trait
in the character of a professional.
But really! it seems bit incredible that
any one so widely advertised as Hand
some Dan Anisty should feel surprise at
being recognized. Why, your portrait and
biography have commanded space in ev-
cry yellow journal in America recently"
And. dropping the revolver into pock1
ct in her cloak, II was afraid you mighty
be a servant-or even Maitland" she d.
verted the subject, with a nod.
'But-but if you recognized me as An
, isty, back there by the ford didn't you
suspect I'd drop in on you
why of course! Didn't you all but
tell me that you were coming here?"
But
81 thought perhaps I might get through
before you came, Mr.. Anisty; but I knew
all the time that, even IL you did man
age to surprise me-er-on the job, you
wouldn't call in the police" She laughed
confidently, and-oddly enough-at the
same time nervously. You are GER
tainly a very bold man, and as surely :
very careless one. to run around the
way you do without so much as troubling
! to grow a beard or a mustache, after
your picture has been published broad
cast
Did he catch CLEAN of admiration
/ in the eyes behind the goggles?
Now, If every they get hold of my
portrait and print it. Welll"
sighed the girl wickedly lifting slim. bare
fingers in affected concern to the mass OF
ruddy hair, 'in that event suppose
I shall have to become a natural blondel''
! Her humor, her splendid fearlessness
the lightness Of her tone, combined with
! the half-laughing, half-serious look that
she swept up at him, to ease the tension
OF his emotions. For the first time since
entering the room, he smiled; then in
! silence for a time regarded her stead
lastly. thinking.
So he resembled this burglar, Anisty,
strongly enough to be mistaken for him
Ell? Plainly enough the girl believed him
to be Anisty. Well and why
not? Why shouldn't he be Anisty for the
time being. If it suited his purpose so to
masquerade7
It might possibly suit his purpose. He
thought his position one uncommonly diff
ficult AS Maitland, he had on his hands
a female thief, a hardened character, O
I, common malefactor (strange that he got
so little relish of the termsD caught red
handed; as Maitland, his duty was to
hand her over to the law, to be dealt with
as-what she was. Yet, even while these
upon him, he knew his eyes appraised
her with open admiration and interest.
She stood before him, slight, delicate.
pretty, appealing in her ingenious can
dor; and at his mercy. How could he
bring himself to deal with her as he
might with-well, Anisty himself7 She
was a woman, he a gentleman.
As Anisty however-if he chose to as
sumo that experts identity for the nonce
he would be placed at once on a plane
of equality with the girl; from fellow
of her craft she could hardly refuse at
tentions. AS Anisty, he would put him.
self in a position to earn her friendship,
to gain-perhaps-her confidence, to
learn something Of her neces-
stiles, to aid and protect, her
from the consequences Of her mis- 4
deeds; possibly-to sum up--to divert her s
footsteps to the path OF a calling less
hazardous and more honorable.
Worthy ambition; to reform burgiarl
Maitland regained something of his lost
self-esteern, applauding himself for en-
PERTAINING a motive so laudable. And he
chose his course, for better or worse, In
these few seconds. Thereby proving his !.
incontestable title to the name and re-
pute of Mad Maitland.
His face lightened; his manner changed;
he assumed with avidity the role for !
which she had cast him and which he
stood so ready to accept and act.
well and good" he conceded with an
air 'I suppose I may as well own
up
''Oh, know you," she assured him,
with a little shake of the head. There's
no deceiving me. But" and her smile
became rueful, IF only you'd waited ten
minutes more! OF course I recognized you
from the first-down there by the river;
and knew very well what was your
lay; you gave yourself away completely by
mentioning the distance from the river
to the Manor. And 1 did so want to
get ahead of you on this job! What
feather in ones cap to have forestalled
Dan Anisty! But hadn't you better
be little careful with those lights? You
seem to forget that there are servants in
the house. Really, you know, find
you most romantically audacious, Mr..
Anisty-qulte in keeping with your repu-
tation."
You overwhelm me-" he murmered.
Believe me, 1 have little concelt in my
frame, such it is" And, crossing to
the windows, he loosed the heavy velvet
hangings and let them fall together,
drawing their edges close SC that no ray
of light might escape.
She watched him with interest. You
seem well acquainted here"
of course. Any man of imagination
is at pains to study every house he en-
ters. 1 have a map of the premises
house and grounds-here." He indicated
his forehead with a long forefinger.
quite right, too-and worth ones
while II rumor is to be believed, you
have ordinarily more than your labor for
your pains. You have taught me
something already. All, wellF she
sighed, 81 suppose I may as well &C
knowledge my inferiority-as neophyte to
hierophant. Masterr' She courtesied low.
Il beg you proceed and let thy cheela
profit through observation" And small
white hand gestured significantly toward
the collection of burglars tools-drills and
chiseIs, skeleton keys, putty, and all
neatly displayed upon the rug before the
massive safe.
You mean that you wish me to crack y
this safe for your" he inquired, with in
ward CONSERVATION.
Not for me. Disappointment / admit
rs mine; but not for the loss I sustain.
In the presence of the master am con
tent to stand humbly to one side. as be-
fits one of my lowly state in--in the ranks =
Of our profession. 1 resign, abdicate
In your favor; claiming nothing by right
Of priority"
You are too generous" he mumbled.
confused by her thinly yelled ridicule.
Not at ALL" she replied briskly. II