The Prescott daily news., 1909-10-29

awns, extensive grounds, and other external evidences Gas viewed from distance), of being the abode of wealth and luxury.
 I naturally supposed 1t to be the country residence of some million aire, and although the owner doubt less was not expecting call from me, 1 resolved to extend to myself the freedom of his luxurious abode at the earliest opportunity and carry off, if luck permitted, few specimens of plate and other souvenirs of the oc- casjon.
 So the first dark night, armed with the necessary tools and my trusty re- volver, l strolled out to the neighbor- hood of the imposing mansion along about midnight, and greatly to my sur prise found no trouble whatever in making my way into the grounds There was a large iron gate at the entrance. but it was not locked, nor was there any watch dog on guard.
 When I reached the house I saw what 1 had not before noticed, that there were heavy bars to all the win dows. This struck me as strange, but some wealthy householders have peculiar notions, and I chuckled to myself at the idea which the owner of this place evidently entertained that the window bars furnished an added security to his valuables. Just as though genuine housebreaker minded such trif1e as half-inch wrought iron bar!
 Selecting a convenient window 1 produced a chilled steel saw from my kit of tools and made short work of the bars. Then prying open the win dow catch with thin knife blade, de- signed for that purpose, 1 cautiously raised the sash and crawled inside
 I found myself h long and con- paratively narrow hallway, at the fur ther end of which a door stood ajar; and 1 confess that 1t gave me some thing of a start to notice that lamp was still burning in the room into which this door opened Could it be that the inmates of the house had not yet re- tired? I listened intently, but could hear no one talking or stirring. All was silent as the tomb.
 The only sound that l could hear as l stood there was the beating of my own heart. Evidently no one was awake, The light doubtless was from a solitary gas jet or night lamp which had been left burning, and instead of a hindrance would be help to me in my self-appointed mission.
 l determined to explore the apart ment containing the light first Noise lessly tiptoeing my way along the hall, I reached the door, gently pushed it open, and stepped inside The moment 1 had crossed the thresh- old l saw that I had been entirely too precipitate and unguarded in my ac- tions
 But it was too late to retrieve my error or retreat. A thick-set, dark complexioned man, who had been seated at a desk in the corner of the room (which appeared to be some sort of an office) sprang to his feet and came quickly forward. before I had chance to draw my weapon or make my escape from the room, and, seiz ing both my hands in his powerful grasp, cordially remarked:
 "Ah! glad to meet you! I've been expecting you for some time"
 "W-why," I stammered, vainly en deavoring to wrench my hands loose, whom do you take me for?"
 Why, you are the noted author and housebreaker who has been writing the "Reminiscences of Busy Life by a Retired Burglar for the Daily Com ct and other periodicals, of course. As l say, have noticed your work and l have been on the lookout for you for some time"
 "And-and who are you, pray?"
 'I? Why. I am Dr. Straitjacket, the head of this restraining institution in to which you have so thoughtfully made your way, thereby saving your friends the trouble of bringing you here, and"
 Suddenly realized the terrible mis. take that I had made, and struggled no longer. My long and busy, as well as variegated, career as a housebreak- CT and author was ended had bro ken into the Home for Incurables, at last