The Washington times., 1909-03-22


working on the case in earnest tomor-
row. We can't do anything more now
Clayton himself was soon asleep. but
Leslie tossed. unable to close his eyes.
A little past midnight he assumed
a sitting posture in his bed and lis
tented intently. Then he jumped UP
and ran over to his sleeping friend.
Wake up, Steve. he whispered
Wake up Immediately, please
What the deuce is the matter?' de-
manded Clayton drowsily. rubbing his
eyes and glaring at Leslie. DO you
call this hospitality? Can't you let a
fellow sleep in peace2"
! There's somebody moving around
Z downstairs, Steve. It must be
burglar"
Are you sure?' inquired Clayton,
sitting bolt upright. now wide awake
Yes, 1 can hear him distinctly. Lis
ten. and you'n hear for yourself
Clayton did listen intently and sprang
from his bed.
BY Jove, you're right, Wilbur. I
thought it was only your imagination,
but l hear him now"
He hastily slipped on some clothes:
his friend followed suit. Then, bare
footed, they crept softly to the door
Haven't got gun. have you. Will
burr" whispered Clayton.
"Confound the luck. no. never
keep one in the house. Ny mother is
afraid of firearms. What shall we do?
The fellow may be armed"
Take one II these Indian clubs I'll
take the other. They ought to make
pretty good weapons. Come on. old
man"
BE very careful not TO wake mother.
please. She sleeps on this floor, you
know Softly, now. Confound these
ereaky stairsl Just listen to the noise
they're making
Each armed with a heavy Indian
club. the two young men crept softly
down the carpeted staircase.
Hes in the dining ROOM whispered
Wilbur. Hear him moving around.
Steve2 We must creep I'D to him I'M
aware and hit him on the head before
ne can use his revoIver-if he's got
one. oh. be CAREFUL
These last words were uttered in a
tone of dismay. Clayton, not very
familiar with the staircase and unable
to see step ahead of him had stumbled
and. In putting out his hand 10 save
himself, had dropped his Indian club.
It clattered down the staircase with a
bang for every step. Clayton uttered an
exclamation of dismay.
He's heard us now, Of course. IT'S
no use trying to take him by surprise
any longer. Come on, Wilbur. weir
have to rush him.
It's too late" gasped Leslie. Hes
heard US and gone. I just heard the
front door bang
He was right. The intruder had de-
parted in haste. They reached the
front door and threw it open Just IN
time 10 catch sight Of a fleeing figure
disappearing in the darkness.
He's escaped u.s." declared Clayton,
savageiy- ''So use trying to chase him
We could not catch him now, and the
idea Of running over the cold sidewalks
IN our bare feet doesn't appear 10 me
particularly.
IF only we had a gum" muttered
Wilbur.
We'll. let's investigate and see what
he's taken" suggested Clayton. I'VE
may have scared him on before he had I
chance 20 get anything. Let's hope
so, anyway"
There really isn't anything II the
$780, W. ~ LSshAAA6s Nbi L ste f.ty q ]
burglar should have deemed it worth 4
his while to pay us a visit" declared /
the other, with a ruefuI laugh.
Light the gas and let's take q look 4
around" Clayton suggested. Every /
thing is all right, eh?'' he inquired as
his friend struck match and lit the 1
dining room gas.
Yes. everything seems to be here. /
See that open window? That's how he /
got in. am positive I left It closed !
when we went TO bed"
'Humph. Where's that library book:''
inquired Clayton. quietly.
'It was over here on the sideboard. 1
That's where 7 left II last night. Why. /
it's gone. Steve"
'tOf course, II has. I fully expected /
as much. That's what that fellow was 1
after. guess that vilIainous italian
and our midnight visitor were one and |
the same. Where's the picture, Wilbur? /
Has he got that, too?
His companions face suddenly turned |
crimson.
NO. That's upstairs. steve.' he re-
piled sheepishly. @'T-pJ{ &c under my
pillow last night"
Clayton chuckIed. "WeH. it's n good |
thing y0a did. 1 guess our burglar
friend is stuug. He supposed the pic
TURF was stiu in the book, I reckon
Probably we scared him away before
he had chance 10 look
What a desperate wretch he must
be 10 steal in order 20 get that photo
graph. Steve
Yes. lie must have needed the pic
ture very badly IN order 20 commit
burglary for It. This mystery IS get
ting more and more interesting.
by Jovel IL looks as II it's going
70 turn out 10 be just the kind Of
case I've been yearning TO tackle. Let's
get back to bed. Wilbur We can't do
anything more until morning"
When they reached their bedroom
Wilbur looked anxiousIy under his pill
low and heaved a sigh OF relief when
he found that the cherished picture was
stiH there.
Clayton was soon fast asleep again.
Excitement couldn't keep him awake:
but there was no slumber for Wilbur h
Leslie that might.
After breakfast the two young men
walked 90 the public library, a few
blocks away.
The librarian, a little bald-headed. he
spectacled man, nodded pleasantly to
Wilbur
You remember I tooi- ont a voI,,roa