The newspaper., 1909-01-29
rcontinued from page fourl
hnisty Tor the time being, II 1t suited
his purpose so to masquerade?

ly difficult. AS Maitland, he had on his
hands female thief, hardened char
acter, a common malefactor (strange
that he got so little relish of the
termsi Saught red-handed; as Matt
land, his duty was to hand her over
to the law, to be dealt with as-what
she was. Yet. even while these consid-
erations We're urging themselves upon
him, he knew his eyes appraised her
with open admiration and interest. She
stood before him. slight, delicate. pret'
ty, appealing in her ingenious candor;
and at his mercy. How could he brins
himself to deal with her as he might
with-well. Anisty himself? She was
woman, he a gentleman.
AS Anisty, however-if he chose to
assume that experts identity for the
nonce-he would be placed at once on
plane of equality with the girl; from
a fellow of her craft she could hardly
refuse attentions. As Anisty, he would
put himself in position to earn her
friendship, TO ain-perhaps-her con-
fidence. TO learn something of her
necessities, to aid and protect her from
the consequences of her misdeeds;
possibly-fo sum up-to divert her
footsteps to the paths of calling less
hazardous and more honorable.
Worthy ambition-to reform a bur
glar. Maitland regained something of
his lost self-esteem, applauding him
self for entertaining 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 repute of Mad Matt
land.
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.
We'll and good" he conceded with
an air. Il suppose l may as well
own up"
"Oh. know you" she assured him.
with little. confident shake of her
head. There's no deceiving me. But"
and her smile became rueful. IF only
you'd waited ten minutes more, OF
course | 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 ! did so want to
get ahead of you on this job, What
feather in ones cap. to have fore.
stalled Dan Anisty, But
hadn't you better be a little careful
with those lights? You seem to forget
that there are servants in the house
| Really. you know. find you most ro-
mantically audacious. Mr.. Anisty-
quite in keeping with your reputation"
You overwhelm me-" he murmured.
|. "Believe me, | have little conceit in
| my fame. such as II is" And. crossing
10 the windows. he loosed the heavy
velvet hangings and let them fall to
/ gether. drawing their edges close so
that no ray of light might escape.
She watched him with interest You
seem well acquainted here
"Of course. Any man of imagina.
tion is at pains to study every house
he enters. | have a map of the prem.
ises-house and grounds-here." He
indicated his forehead with 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. Welt"
she sighed. Il suppose ] may as well
acknowledge my inferiority-as neo.
phyte to hierophant. Master," She
courtesied low. Il beg you proceed
and let thy cheela profit through obser-
vation." And a small white hand ges-
tured significantly toward the collec-
ticn Of burglars tools-drills aud
chisels. skeleton keys. putty. and all
neatly displayed upon the rug before
the massive safe.
You mean that you wish me to
crack this safe for you?" he inquired.
with inward CONSERVATION.
Not for me. Disappointment l ad-
NIT is mine; but not for the loss sus-
tain. In the presence of the master /
am content to stand humbly to one
side. as BELTS one OF my lowly state in
in the ranks OF our profession. re-
sign, abdicate in your favor; claim
ng nothing by right Of priority"
You are too generous" he mum
oled, confused by her thinly yelled rid
lcule.
Not at ALL" she replied briskly. Il
an entirely serious. My loss Of to-
lay will prove my gain tomorrow. I
ook for incalculable benefit through
study of your methods. My own. i
.onfess," with a contemptuous toss of