The newspaper., 1909-02-26
lcontinued from page fourl

IdSQlOneQ manOSdny DOCK case, tHe
useless, ornamental, beautiful Chip
pendale escriroire, in one corner; all
somDerly shadowed and all combining
to diffuse an impression of quiet, easy
going comfort.
Just such study as he would natur-
ally have. She nodded silent approba-
ton of it as a whole. And. nodding,
sat down at the desk. planting elbows
on its polished surface, interlacing her
fingers and grading her chin upon
their backs, turned suddenly pensive.
The mood held her but briefly She
had no time to waste, and much to
accomplish. Sitting back.
her fingers sought and pressed the
clasp of her handbag and produced
two articles-a golden cigarette case
and a slightly soiled canvas bag. The
Maitland jewels were returning by a
devious way, to the their owner.
But where to put them, that he
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 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
a 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
q pair of long gray silk gloves, draped
one across the book; and. head tilted
to one side. admired the effect.
II seemed decidedly an artistic ef-
feet, admirably calculated to attract
attention. She was satisfied to the
point of being pleased with herself: a
fact indicated by an expressive futter
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 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. a small bunch of keys in her hand:
eight or ten of them dangling from
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 (and 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
ransack Maitland's desk seemed an
action ever more biackly dishonorable
than this clandestine visit, this mid
night foray.
Swinging the notched metal slips
from a slender finger. she contem-
plated them; and laughed ruefully.
What qualms of conscience in burg
lar, self-confessed! She was there for
"a purpose, a recognized, nefarious pur-