Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-14

For some few minutes Mrs. Hamilton really thought
this of them. She was kind and pleasant to
the strange guest, she everybody and he
was very agreeable man, though rather silent
After dinner, when they all in the drawing
room, he went away for little, and when he came
back he had pile of little rolls of sovereigns in his
hand, and he said to Mr.. Hamilton:
I've stupidity brought lot of money down with me
that meant to have put in the bank before l left
town. Can put it in safe place till tomorrow ?"
Mr. Hamilton looked up from his newspaper. "Oh,
put it here, into this old cabinet he said it be as
safe there in the Bank of England My strong box
IS locked for the night and the butler takes the key
down to the lodge, where he lives
They put it in, and the stranger remarked that it
was very secure hiding place, because nobody would
ever think of it; and they all laughed a good deal
it.
Reginald just undressing when a soft tap came
at his door, and he opened it. He had only taken his
coat off. In the dim light that left burning all
night in the corridor he the strange guest He
put his finger on his lips and made quick gesture
"Sh-sh!' he whispered, under his breath. I'm
from Scotland Yard Mr.. Hamilton wired for me to
come down about these mysterious thefs the house
If you want to find who the thief is Just come
downstairs with in the ante-room I'm going there
now to watch, and I'd like to have witness"
Reginald was eager in moment. 1t suggested fun
to him. and he remembered that servants had been
IN and out OF the drawing with whisky and soda
and wine while the money being put in the black
cabinet
Just wait minute!' he whispered back and he
went into his again, and flung on a smoking
jacket, and caught up the poker from the fireplace.
The stranger eyed the weapon grimy. "You won't
want that, he said; "Im armed But two of us
ought to be enough against any burglar even with
empty hands,
Reginald shook his head, and clung to the poker
1t made 1T much more of adventure to creep down
stairs armed to the teeth and he had not a revolver
The house seemed wrapped in sleep, though it was
still early They kept early hours the Manor, and
everybody sleepy after last nights late ball The
stairs silent and board cracked as they went
down them. All below was dark and still. They
crossed the hall and went in the door of the little
ante-room that lay at end of the long drawing
room
Mr.. Parry locked the door into the corridor Be
tween them and the drawing wide archway
across which curtains hung Mr. Parry pulled them
back noiselessly. Then he moved a tall. Japanese
screen with hamingoes and tall rushes in gold on it.
and motioned Reginald to step behind it. He followed
and drew it close round their corner. Through the
crack between the leaves of it they could all that
happened in the next room, but could perceive
them. lhen they waited 10 wait IN dark room
at midnight in sleeping house takes good deal of
patience, all the more when there is certainty
that anything is going to happen.
Reginald began to fdget by and BY but Mr.. Parry
touched him with quiet finger whenever he stirred
and he had to keep still. The feeling of fun in mid
night adventure apt to pail when dead tired
from night of hard dancing and excitement and your
bed upstairs presents delightful attractions But still
they crouched and waited. 1t fully half an hour
and Reginald began to believe the man from Scotland
Yard had proved there was no thief in the Manor
household, when all his senses bounded with a sudden
thrill His listening ear had caught faint scratching
creeping sound in the corridor.
He held his breath but his heart beat faster. He
stood ready to dash the down at the word of
command from his companion, and close in on
guilty footman. Some softly tried the locked
door of the ante-room, close beside them Then the
cautious, muH1ed steps went to the drawing room
by the farther door. The light of a candle fickered
against the painted ceiling Reginald held his breath
closer as the door opened and closed softly and still
the light burned on. Some had crossed the room
to the cabinet, for the yellow light shone steady
there now. Reginald craned his hardest to see who
It was but the detective held the place of vantage in
front of him. and his shoulder blocked the view
through the crack. He could only wait in deepest
impatience.