The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-08-10

noon. l appreciate pluck and grit as
much as anybody, 1 guess, though do
think you ran it pretty close, peach
ing on a pal after you'd lifted the
jewels By the way, why did you
do it?"
because But you wouldn't under
stand if l told you"
81 suppose not I'm not much good
splitting sentimental hairs. But Matt
land must have been pretty decent to
you to make you go so far. Speaking
of which, where are they?"
"They?"
Don't sidestep We understand one
another. know you've brought back
the jewels. Where have you slowed
them?"
The wine had fulfilled its mission,
endowed her with fresh strength and
renewed spirit She was thinking
quickly, every wit alert
81 won't tell you"
won't Ell? That's an admission
that they're here, you know And you
may as well know I propose to have
'em. Fair means or foul, take your
pick Where are they?"
81 have told you wouldn't tell"
1--WE known pluckier women than
you to change their minds, under pres
sure" He came nearer, bending over,
face close to her, eyes savage, and
gripped her wrists none too gently.
'Tell mel"
let me go"
He proceeded calmly to imprison
both small wrists in one strong, bony
hand. Better tell
Let me go!" she painted. struggling
to rise.
His voice took on an ugly tone.
Tell"
She was a child in his hands, but
managed nevertheless to rise. AS he
applied the pressure more cruelty to
her arms she cried aloud with pain
and, struggling desperately, knocked
the chair over.
1t went down with a crash appalling
ly loud in that silent house and at
that hour; and taking advantage of his
instant of CONSERVATION she jerked
free and sprang toward the door He
was upon her in an instant, however,
hard fingers digging into her Shout
ders. you little fool"
moi" she cried mo, no, no! Let
me go, you-you brute!-
Abruptly he thought better of his
ing himself between her and the door
way.
Don't be a little fool" he coun-
seled. You kick up that row and
you'll have US both pinched inside Of
the next five minutes"
Defiance was on her tongues tip,
but the truth in his words gave her
pause Palpitating with the shock,
every outraged instinct a-quiver, she
subdued herself and fell back, eying
him fixedly.
They're here" he nodded thought
fully. You wouldn't have stood for
that if they weren't. And since they
are, I can find them without your as.
sistance. Sit down. l shan't touch
you again"
She had scant choice other than
to obey. Desperate as she was. her
strength had been severely overtaxed,
and she might not presume upon it
too greatly. Fascinated with terror,
she let herself down into an easy
chair
Anisty thought for a moment, thea
went over to the desk and sat himself
before it.
Keys" he commented, rapidly In
ventorying what he saw. How'd you
get hold of them?"
"They are Mr. MaitIand's. He must
have forgotten them"
The burglar chuckled grfmly. Go
incidences multiply. It is odd That
harp, O'Hagan, was coming in with a
can of beer while 1 was picking the
lock, and caught me. He wanted tc
know If I'd missed my train for Green
fields, and l gave him my word of hon.
or l had. Moreover, I'd mislaid my
keys and had been ringing for him for
the past ten minutes. He swallowed
every word of it. By the way, here's
a glove Of yours. You certainly man.
aged to leave enough clews about to
insure your being nabbed even by .
New York detective"
He faced about, tossing her the
glove, and with it so keen and pene-
trating a glance that her heart sank
for fear that he had guessed her Sc
cret. But as he continued she re-
gained confidence.
Il could teach you a thing or tw~
he suggested. pleasantly. 'You n
about as many mistakes as the aver
age beginner And, on the other hand,
you've got the majority beaten to 4
finish for 'cuteness. You're as quick
as they make them"
She Strengthened up, uneasy, ep-
pressed by a vague surmise as to
whittier this tended.
Thank you," she said. breathlessiy,
''but hadn't you better"
PLENTY of time, my dear Maitland