Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-08-12
CHAPTER vlII.-continued.

might find them without delay? 1t
must be no conspicuous place, where
O'Hagan would be apt to happen upon
them; doubtless the janitor was trust.
worthy, but still Misplaced
opportunities breed criminals.
1t was all risk to leave the treas.
ure there. without the protection of
nickeled-steel walls and timelocks;
but a risk that must be taken She
dared not retain it longer in her pos
session; and she would contrive way
in the morning to communicate with
Maitland and warn him. .
Her gaze searched the area where
the lamplight fell soft yet strong upon
the dark shining wood and heavy
brass desk fittings; and paused, ar
rested by the unusual combination of
inverted bowl and super-imposed book.
A riddle to be read with facility; in
twinkling she had uncovered the in
eliminating NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
If it could be traced, that is to say.
"Oh!" she cried, softly. And laughed
q little. "Oh, how careless"
Fine brows puckered, she pondered
the matter, and ended by placing her
own hand over the print; this one
fitted the other exactly.
How he must have wondered! &.
He is sure to look again, espe-
cially if"
No need to conclude the sentence
Quickly she placed bag and case
squarely on top of the impression. the
bowl over all, and the book upon the
bowl; then, drawing from her pocket
pair of long gray silk gloves, draped
one across the book; and, head tilted
to one side, admired the effect.
1t seemed decidedly an artistic eff
feet, admirably calculated to attract
attention. She was satisfied to the
point of being pleased with herself; a
fact indicated by an expressive fiutter
of slim, fair hands. And now, to work!
Time pressed, and A cloud dimmed
the radiance of her eyes; irresolutely
she shifted in her chair, troubled,
frowning, lips woefully dropping. And
sighed And a still small whisper,
broken and wretched, disturbed the
quiet of the study.
II can not! o, can not! To spoil
it all, now, when"
Yet she must. She must forget her
self and steel her determination with
the memory that another's happiness
hung in the balance, depended upon
her success. Twice she had tried and
failed. This third time she must sue
ceed
And bowling her head in token of her
resignation, she turned back squarely
to face the desk. AS she did so the
toe of one small shoe caught against
something on the floor, causing a
dull jingling sound. She stopped, with
a low exclamation, and Strengthened
up, q small bunch of keys in her hand;
eight or ten of them dangling from a
silver ring; Maitland's keys.
He must have dropped them there,
forgetting them altogether A find of
value and one to save her a deal of
trouble; skeleton keys are so exas-
peratingly slow, particularly when used
by inexpert hands. But how to bring
herself to make use of these? AIS
fair in war land this was a sort of
war, a war of wits at least); but one
should fight with ones own arms, not
pilfer the enemny's and turn them
against him. To use these keys to
action ever more blaclSly dishonorable
than this clandestine visit, this mid
night foray.
Swinging the notched metal slips
from slender finger she contem-
plated them; and laughed ruefully.
What qua!ms circumstance in burg
lar, self-ccnfessed! She was there for
a purpose, a recognized, nefarious pur-
pose. Granted. Then why bubble?
She would not bubble. She. would be
firm, resolute, determined, cold
blooded, unmindful of all kindness and
courtesy and She would use them,
accomplish her purpose, and have
done, finally and for ever. with the
whole hateful business!
There was bright spot of color on
either cheek and hot light of anger
In her eyes as she set about her task.
1t would never be less hideous, never
less immediate.
The desk drawers yielded easily to
the eager keys. One by one she had
them open and their contents explored
vain repetition of yesterday after
moons fruitless task. But she must
be sure, she must leave no stone I'M
turned. Maitland Manor was closed
to her for ever, because of last night.
But here she was safe for few short
hours, and free to make assurance
douhly SIRE