The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-05-19


in the glass pane, inserting his arm
and turning the key.
As he passed on through the
Kitchen. buffers pantry, dining room
and hall he carefully left each door
wide open, so that In case of necessity
he would have clear run for It.
As he passed the sideboard In the
dining room he looked 1t over criti-
cally. His sharp eye detected In
stantly that the articles were all
plate, with the exceptions Of two salt
cellars. These looked like gold. He
caught them up, looked them over
carefully and slid them into his
pocket. They were gold.
He had reasonably large canvas
bag in his left hand, which had been
folded neatly and put in his left hand
pocket. This he unfolded as he leis-
urely made his way upstairs, tucking
one end in his trousers pocket and
letting the rest of the bag hang out.
In going up the stairs he carefully
stepped on the sides, putting his rub
ber-soled shoes down, cautiously. He
knew II he stepped in the middle
the stairs might creak Once a mis-
take like that had caused him to
waste whole evening.
AS he paused an instant half way
up the stairs his eye caught in the re-
flected light of the street lamp. lying
carelessly where 1t had been thrown
on the window seat, the outlines of
magnificent party wrap with Its
sable collarette. The young lady,
tired out with her evenings enter
tainment, had left 1t there as she
came in.
AS matter of fact, the presence of
this party wrap was simply confir-
nation OF the burglars plan in Sc
lecting this particular evening, for
there had been ball, and for this
purpose she had visited the safe de-
posit vault during the day and taken
out the magnificent jewel, large
solitaire diamond pendant, worth
some $4,000.
The burglar had timed the whole
affair very well, although, to be quite
candid, he had not come upon his
midnight venture by chance. 1t was
all done by system. He was in his
way an artist. He always worked
alone. He never went on a job that
was not big one, and he employed
one or two agents" to tell him where
he could make a good haul, giving
them later certain percentage of
the profits.
He was In reality an admirable,
methodical specimen of burglar.
One of the great secrets of his sue
cess was that he never hurried. He
had a theory when he entered a
house that he should place himself
mentally en- rapport with the atmos-
phere. He robbed so to speak just
as If he were member of the fam
lily. This was his attitude.
When he reached the upper hall
he did not hesitate an instant, but
walked straight to the rear and
paused in front of the door on the
right. A gas jet had been left burn.
ing low. This he did not disturb
Its light enabled him to see at a
glance that the door was ajar. He
opened it softly and slipped into the
room, as he did so drawing forth
from his pocket a diminutive electric
flashlight
The window was open top and bot.
tom and the cold air was flowing
through the room. A large screer
around the foot of the bed protected
its occupant.
He went over to the dressing table
There we're several jewels scattered
over its top, but not the one ht
wanted He picked up the odd ring!
one by one, so that they would no
jingle each other Then he slowl.
opened drawer after drawer.
In one drawer was jewel case
He opened it. A medley of gold ant
silver ornaments on the upper ira,
revealed themselves under his inter
militant light, but not the pendant
He lifted out the tray. Underneath
was similar mass of ornaments ant
folded letter. He was about to tos
1t aside when, obeying his self-com
posed, leisurely instinct, he quietl,
opened it. 1t was from the wei
known jewellers, Trench & Smyth
and read as follows:
Dear Madam In reply to you
favor of the 2Sth we shall, of course
keep our agreement made with yo1
at the time you purchased from u
the yellow diamond necklace, tha
any time within one year we vii
upon request purchase it back frot
you at f2400, or f400 under the sell
ing price. We trust, however, tha
you will reconsider your determine
tion to compel us to accept the neck
lace at the present time. AS yo
know. there has been severe SCI
back in trade, and while we are i
honor bound to keep our agreemen
we should consider it favor If yo
could grant us six-months' exter
sion of time. Awaiting your repl!
respectfully, Trench & Smyth. t."
The burglar, with slight smil,