The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-12-10
BY A. M. PERkERsoN

1t was a neatly turned trick. A
Prize with the jimmy opened the
blinds. careful tap against the
rane knocked out small piece OF
glass, a finger and thumb inserted
through the round hole unfastened
the lock, and the window was
raised. The man stepped from the
ladder into the room. He stood for
moment listening; tripped quietly
over to q dresser.
With sharp exclamation he
lifted out q small leather box. a
diamond necklace lay wound up in
a coil on the black lining.
He walked over to the hearth
and, kneeling down, held the neck
|. Nee so that the light from the coais
played full upon it. Suddenly he
started, shot one hand into his
pocket, and twisted about. For a
moment they silently eyed each
other-he and the girl in the door.
way. She was on the threshold,
one hand lightly clasped against the
collar of her dress.
He got up quickly with the neck
lace dangling from one hand, and
smiled. please don't be fright
ened," he said. There is not the
least use. l assure you this is al.
together a misleading situation.
He stepped on the jimmy at his feet
and blushed slightly. That's only
part of a makeup" he explained.
Really. I'm not a house-breaker
What wanted was not your neck
lace, but local color"
The girl came slowly into the
room and rested one hand on the
back of a leather chair. I'm not
frightened for myself" she said.
And it's only paste" nodding to-
ward the necklace. Il think it's
worth $50"
He started to frown. and smiled.
f"Im writing a book" he ex-
planned rapidly, that has a bur
glary as noe of it's strongest scenes.
Somehow, l haven't been able to
handle it naturally SO determined
to feel for myself the thrills of n
second-story man. But didn't in
tend to go so far as really to take
anything"
a"What queer situatino,' the
girl was beginning. But she stopped
off short, started and turned half
about. They heard a sharp cliak
coming from down the hall.
The girl clasped her hand to tho
top of her dress and lohed sharply
at the man. I'm sure she said,
there's someone in the house. !
heard noise when | came up the
stairs. Tn frightened now" There
was piteous appeal in her voice.
He looked at her closely. I'm
see what it is" he said. From
one pocket he took a pistol and
into the other he dropped the
necklace They crept silently
down the stairs.
ITS in the dining ROOM" whis-
pered the girl. She took the lead.
q They stopped at the second
room en- the left of dark hall.
The door was partly open. The
girls hand touched his arm warn
hgly. There was a click and the
electric lights went no. They
showed a heavy, british fellow
kIltellNS Ill HUH vi tut
with small mound of knives and
forks before him. He started to
grab for a pistol on the floor by
his side.
stop it," said the other. Hold
up yuor hands. Get up
The fellow obeyed, and gaped
In establishment. For moment
the man with the pistol stood gnaw-
ing his under lip.
81 can handle this fellow easy
enough" he said to the girl. I'll
take him to the nearest police sta
ton myself If we call officers
here it's sure to get in the papers.
II wouldn't want that" said the
girl.
Captor and captive marched to
the door At the porch the girl
held out her hand. "Goodby," she
said. Come back and let me
thank you"
Trees that shaded the long
gravel walk leading to the street
soon hid the two men from the
house. The captor slid the pistol