Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-08-19

At precisely IL a mar came swiftly
but cautiously across the lawn. When
he reached the long windows of the
dining room he paused, but not irreso-
lutely. There was a sharp rasping
sound, followed by the uncertain glare
that makes the light of a dark-lantern
separate and individual, and a window
swung noiselessly inward. The room
was in total darkness. The nan wore
a short mask, a soft felt hat well
down over his eyes. He cupped his
hand to his ear and strained to catch
any sound. Silence. Then he dropped
behind the screen, consulted a slip Of
paper by the light of his lantern, and
with a few quick turns of the comb.
nation knob opened the door of the
safe. He extracted the envelope and
thrust it into his pocket, without so
much as a glance at its contents. In
making his exit, the window struck
on the sill. In pressing it the lock
snapped loudly. This was the sound
Cavenaugh heard. The burglar ran
lightly across the lawn and disap-
peared beyond the hedges. And none
too soon.
The ~Cavenaugh drag rolled over the
hill and went Gathering up to the
porte-cochere.
On the way home Darlington, his
mind still wavering between this ex-
pedient and that, decided that, after
all, he would take charge of the pa
pers himself. 1t didn't seem quite fair
that ~CaVenaugh's safe should protest
his ultimate disgrace. So, upon enter
ing the house, he confided his desire
to Kate, who threw aside her, wraps
and led him into the dining room.
She had her wi reasons for wishing
the papers out of the safe. She turned
on the lights and swirled the combina-
ton knob. At this moment Norah
came in.
What are you doing2" she asked.
"Mr. Darlington left some valuable
papers in the safe, and he wants
them"
Darlington wondered why Norah
gazed from him to her sister with so
wild an expression.
"Papers?" she murmured.
Kate opened the door. She sprang
to her feet in terror and dismay.
What is it?" cried Darlington, who
saw by her expression that something
extraordinary had happened.
"They-it Is not there!"
Norah sat down and hid her face on
her arms.
Darlington rushed over to the safe,
stopped and made a hasty examina-
ton. 1t lad been opened by some one
who knew the combination! He
stood up, a cold chill wrinkling his
spine. He saw it all distinctly. Cave.
naugh knew. He had known all along.
Gavenaugh had overheard him speak
to Kate and had opened the safe after
their departure for the club. 1t was
all very cleverly done. He knew that
Kate was utterly blameless. Then
it dawned upon him that they ap-
peared as though they accepted the
catastrophe as not wholly unexpected!
To what did this labyrinth lead?
A rattle Of the curtain rings wheeled
them about. They beheld Cavenaugh
himself standing in the doorway.
What's the trouble?" he asked, eye.
ing Darlington suspiciously.
Darlington answered him icily. Il
left some legal documents of great
value in this safe; they are no longer
there"
Cavenaugh's jaw dropped. He
stared at Kate, then at Norah. If
ever there was written on a face un-
feigned dismay and establishment, 1t
was OF the millionaire's. A moment
before Darlington would have sworn
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