Middletown transcript., 1909-05-15

and while we are in honor bound
to keep our agreement We should
consider it a faver if you could
grant us a six.months' extension
of time. Awaiting your reply,
respectfully, Trench & Smith. T.
The burglar, with slight
smile, put the letter in his pocket
and replaced the jewels in the
bottom Of the case.
Then, glancing about him, he
went over to a small writing
desk, and selecting from q pile of
letters one which in its contour
bore a resemblance to the one he
had distracted he folded it SINH
larly to the other and placed it in
the same position in the jewel
case that the other letter had
been. Then, replacing the jew
els in the top of the drawer, he
closed it, leaving everything as
he had found it. Also he put
back the rings on the top of the
dressing table. Then he stood
silently for a moment in deep
thought. Cautiously retracing
his steps to the door, he closed it
and locked it. Moving back the
screen he leaned over the bed,
flashing his light over the face OF
its occupant.
His inference had been correct,
When the girl had come in she
had kept on the pendant, sleep
lily but correctly concluding that
that was the safest place for it.
Under the lights purposeful
glare she suddenly opened hel
eyes and looked into the muzzle
of a huge revolver.
Not peep or I'll strangle you
He spoke low and distinct, and
then continued quickly, Don't be
alarmed, miss. AS long as yor
keep quiet you're absolutely safe
III do you no harm. Take of
those sinners.
At first she had turned decid
edly white. But, a girl Of spirit
and courage and youth, she re
covered quickly, probably be
cause in the suddenness of it al
she could not grasp the full real
ization of her danger.
Don't, please don't!she gasped
No words, or III
She reached up without a wore
and unfastened the pendant. HI
took it.
Sorry to have caused you any
alarm, miss, he said, with
smile, but if you'd only left j
somewhere else, you know
Her eyes flashed in anger.
Little good it will do you, sh'
replied. You can't dispose of~it
It's too well known to
-Sh! Now if you make a SOUND
until | get away I'll come bacl
and
He looked at her intently
through his mask, switched ou
his light, opened the door, locked
it on the outside, and was gone.
A few minutes later he leisure
ly stepped into small motor ca
waiting in a side street, and while
the telephone was ringing, bear
ing its message to headquarters
he was speeding away at thirty
miles an hour.
1
When he arrived at his desti
nation "a small, unoccupieC
house in the suburbs-he made
his way upstairs into an attic
room. Here in one corner wert
all the tools Of his trade, and wha.
more to the point for the purpose
a collection Of paste stones of al
sizes and shapes. Turning OF
the power that he got from tht
electric current he set to work
After several hours of skillfu
work he had constructed Wha
was to all intents and purposes
an exact duplicate of the rea
pendant. Selecting a chamoi'
skin bag he placed the real pen
/ dant in it. he other tier be be eHu Hu
loosely in his pocket.
Then he dressed and went ou
to his breakfast.
At ten minutes past nine {
quietly clad young man walked
into the offices and salesroom o
Messrs. Trench q Smyth.
Is Mr.. Trench in?
Yes, sir; back there in the of
fee.
The young man went back Il
the Office. He respectfully re
moved his hatwhile he waited foI
that gentleman to look.
| beg your pardon, sir, but In
from Miss Van Glen.
Oh yes.
The "oh" on Mr.. Trench's par