Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-27
The Brass B0Wl
Continuation of Chapter V.

/ make a haSty examination. nope
| haven't done for him. 1t would be
| the first time. Bad precedent.
! So! He's all right-conscious within
an hour. . Too soon!" he added,
standing and looking down. We'll, turn
about's fair play"
| He swung on his heel and entered the
hallway. pausing at the door long enough
TO shoot the bolt; then passed hastily
| through tne other chambers, searching, to
| judge by his manner.
! In the end a closed door attracted him;
] he jerked it open, with an exclamation OF
| relief. It gave upon a large bare room,
used by Maitland as a trunk closet. Here
were stout leather straps and cords in
ample measure. "Mr. Snaith" selected
one from them quickly but with care,
choosing the strongest.
! In two more minutes, Maitland, truss
1 ed, gagged, still unconscious, and breath
| ing heavily, occupied a divan in his
| smoking room, while his assallant, in the
bedroom, ears keen to catch the
least sound from without, was rap
idly and cheerfully arraying himself in
the Maitland gray-striped flannels and
| accessories-even to the gray socks
which had been specified.
The less chances one takes, the
better" soliloquized mir. Snaith"
He stood erect. in another mans
shoes, squaring back his shoulders,
discarding the Disgusting stoop, and
confronted his image in a pier-glass.
Good enough. Maitland" he com
mented, with a little satisfied nod to
his counterfeit presentment. But
Wen make it better still"
A single quick jerk denuded his
upper lip; he slowed the mustache
carefully away in his breast pocket.
The moistened corner of towel made
quick work of the crows feet about
his eyes, and, simultaneously robbed
him of a dozen apparent years. A
pair of yellow channels gloves, placed
conveniently on a dressing table, COW
cred hands that no art could make
resemble Maitland's. And it was Dan
lei Maitland who studied himself in
the pier-glass.
Contented, the criminal returned to
the smoking room. A single glance
assured him that his victim was still
dead to the world. He sat down at
the desk drew off the gloves and
opened the bag; peep within which
was enough. With a deep and slow
intake of breath he knotted the draw
string and dropped the bag into his
pocket. A jeweled cigarette case of
unique design shared the same fate.
\ Quick eyes roaming the desk OBJ
served the telegram form upon which
Maitland had written Cressy's name
and address. Momentarily perplexed,
the thief pondered this; then. with
laughing oath, seized the pen and
scrubbed with no attempt to initiate
the others handwriting, a message;
Regret unavoidable detention. Let
ter of explanation follows"
To this Maitland's name was signed.
That ought to clear him neatly, If
understand the emergency"
The thief rose, folding the tele-
gram blank, and returned to the bed
room, taking up his hat and the MUIR
derous cane as he went. Here he
gathered together all the articles of
clothing that he had discarded, con-
veying the mass to the trunk-room,
where an empty and unlocked kt-bag
received IL all.
That, / think, is about ALL"
He was very methodical this criminal,
this Anisty. Nothing essential escaped
him. He rejoiced In the minutiae of de-
tail that went to cover up his traces Sc
thoroughly that his campaigns were as
remarkable for the clues he did leave with
malicious design, as for those that he
didn't.
One final thing held his attention; e
bowl of hammered brass, inverted be-
meath a ponderous book upon the desk.
Why? In a twinkling ne had removed
both and was studying the impression OF
woman's hand in the dust, and noddins
over it.
THAT GIRL" dedueed Anisty Novice,
poor little fool!-or she wouldn't have
wasted time searching here for the jew
: els Good locker though-from what lit
tie he"-with a gIance at Maitland-"gave
me a chance to see of her. Seems to
have shared him. all right, If she did miss
5the haul. Little idiot! What
II right Shas a woman in this business, any
II way? Well, here's one thing that Will
aever land me in the pen"
iii AS. with nice care, he replaced both
iii howl and boo.., a door slammed below
stairs took him to the hall in an instant.
iii Maitland's Panama was hanging on the
Hi hat rack, Maitand's collection of walking
u sticks bristled in a stand beneath Ii.
Anisty appropriated the former and chose
one of the latter Fair exchange" he
n considered with a harsh laugh. Aftel
all. he loses nothing but the jew
l-eis." 49,
He was out and at the foot of the stairs
a lust as O'Hagan reached the ground
floor from the basement.
~ "Ah. O'Haganr' The assumption oil
3 MaitIands ironic drawl was impeccaole.
/. o'Hagan no more questioned II tnan ne
- questioned his own sanity. Here sehu
this wire at once. please; and" pressing
a coin into the ready palm, keep the
change. l was hurried and didn't bother
10 cali YOU. And, say, O'Hagan? from
the outer door:
Visor"
eff that fellow snaith ever calls again.
I'm not at home"
s VERY good, sor." -,,,...
Anisty permitted himself the slghtes'
of smiles, pausing on the stoop to draw
on the chamois gloves. As he did so MS
eyes hickered disinterestedly over the per-
sonality of a man standing on the OPP
posite walk and staring at the apartment
@house. He was short man, of stoutlsh
habit. sloppily dressed, with derby pull
led down over one eye, cigar-outt pro-
Lruding arrogantly from beneath heavy
black mustache. beefy cheeks, and thick
lsoled boots duly polished.
At sight of him the thief was con-
Iscious of an inward tremor, followed by
Ia thrill of excitement like a wave or
heat sweeping through his being. Instan-
ItaneousIy his eyes flashed; then were dull
led. Imperturable, listless, hall-marked
line prey of ennui he waited, undecided.
lupon the stoop, while the watcher oppo-
Isite. catching sight of him, abruptly
abandoned his SLOUGH and FASTENED across
1.-The street.
Excuse me-" he began In a loud tone,
Awhile yet a dozen feet away, but ain
IA this Mr.. Maitland?"
Anisty lifted his brows and shoulders
nd