Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-05-15

a young man, sole proprietor OF a
priceless collection Of family heir
looms-diamonds, rubies, sapphires ga
lore; and he thinks they're safe
enough in a safe at his country resi-
dence, so miles from anywhere! What
a simple, trustful soul it ISL
why should 1 bother?" argued
Maitland, sulkily. It's a good, strong
safe, and-and there are plenty of
servants around" he concluded,
largely.
Precisely. Likewise plenty of bur-
glars. You don't suppose a determined
criminal like Anisty, for instance,
would bother himself about a handful
of thick-headed servants, do your
"Anisty ?''-with a rising infection
of inquiry.
Bannerman squared himself to face
his host, elbows on table. You don't
mean to say you've not heard of Ants
ty, the great Anisty?" he demanded.
Il dare say I have" Maitland con
ceded, urperturbed. Name rings IA
miliar, somehow
'tAnisty" -deliberate1y-'is said to
be the greatest jewel thief the world
has ever known. He has the police of
America and Europe by the ears to
catch him. They lave been hot on his
trail for the past three years, and
would have nabbed him a dozen times
if only he'd had the grace to stay in
one place long enough. The man who
made off with the Bracegirdle dia-
monGs, smashing .burglar-proof vault
into scrap iron to get 'em-don't you
remember?''
''Ye-es; 1 seem to recall the affair,
now that you mention it, Maitland adj
mitted, bored. We'll, and what of Mr.
Anisty?''
only what 1 have told you, taken
in connection with the circumstance
that he is known to be in New York,
and that the Maitland heirlooms are
tolerably famous-as much so as your
careless habits, Dan. Now, safe de-
posit vault
"Um-m-m,'' considered Maitland.
You really believe that Mr.. Anfsty
has his bold burglarious eye on my
property"
It's big enough haul to attract
him." argued the lawyer, earnestly;
"Anisty always aims high.
| Now, will you do what 1 have been
begging you to do for the past eight
years."
| Seven corrected Maitland punctil-
| iously. IT'S just seven years since
entered into mine inheritance and you
became my counselor"
We'll, seven, then. But will you
put those jewels in safe depssit::"
"Oh, 1 suppose So.
| But when?"
would it suit You if I ran out to-
night?" Maitland demanded so abrupt
| ly that Bannerman was disconnected.
"I-er-ask nothing better
|
| You arrange about the vault and ad-
| wise me, will you, Ike a good fellow"
| BLESS my soul! 1 never dreamed
| that you would be $685.
! "Amenable to discipline?' Maitland
| grinned, boy-like, and, leaning back,
| appreciated Bannerman's startled ex-
preston with keen enjoyment. well,
consider that for once you've scared
| me. I'm off-just time to catch the
| 1920 for Greenfields Waiter,''
He scrawled his initials at the bot
| tom of the bill presented him, and
rose. Sorry, Bannerman," he said,
| chuckling, ito cut short a pleasant
| evening But you shouldn't startle me
so, you know. Pardon me ii I run; I
might miss that train
But there was something Else"
1T can wait"
| take a later train, then
What! With this grave peril hang
ing over me? Impossible. Night
Bannerman, discounted, saw Matt
lands shoulders disappear through tie
dining room doorway, meditated F1r-
suit, thought better of it, and resea-ael
himself, frowning.
Mad Maitland, indeed" he con-
mented.
AS for the gentleman SO charac-
| teriZed, he emerged, a moment later,
from the portals of the club, still
| chuclling mildly to himself as he
struggled into a light evening over
coat. His temper, having run the
gamut of boredom, interest, perturba-
ton, mystifcation, and plain amuse-
ment, was now altogether incense
quential--a dangerous mood for Matt
| land. Standing on the corner OF
| Twenty street he thought it over,
tapping the sidewalk gently with his
cane. Should he or should he not car
~ out his intention as declared to
Bannerman, and go to Greenfelds that
same night? Or should he keep his be-
lated engagement with Cressy's party
ITO DE CoNYTT>rTTED