The newspaper. (Paonia, Colo.) 1904-1910, 1909-03-05
CONTINUED from page four]

fuous now, the gas having been
lighted-and after a moments thought
faced her, with contemptuous smile
and lift of his shoulders. thrusting
hands deep into his pockets.
'Well?" he demanded, cuttingly.
She made a little motion of her
hands. begging for time: and. assent
ing with short nod, he took a turn
up and down the room. then abstracted
1y reached up and turned out the gas
when you are quite composed
should enjoy hearing your statement"
I-have none to make"
."So!"-with his back to the lamp
towering over and depressing her
with the sense Of his strength and self
control. That is very odd, isn't IT,"
Il have no-nO explanation to give
that would satisfy you. or myself"
she said. brokenly. Il don't care
what you think" with flicker of de-
fiance. Believe the worst and-and
do what you will-have me arrested"
He laughed sardonically. "Oh, we
won't go so far as that. guess; harsh
measures, such as arrest and impris-
onment, are so unsatisfactory to all
concerned. but L All interested 10
know why you are here"
Her breathing seemed very loud in
the pause; she kept her lips tight,
fearing to speak lest she lose her mas
terry of self. And hysteria threatened;
the fluttering in her bosom warned
her. She must be very careful, very
restrained, if she were to avert that
browning misfortune.
Il don't think | quite understand
you," he continued. musingly; surely
you must have anticipated Interrupt
ton
Il thought you safely out of the
way"
One presumed that" He laughed
again. unpleasantly. But how about
Maitland? Didn't you have him in
your calculations, or
He paused. unfeignedly surprised by
her expression. And chuckled when
he comprehended.
by the powers. forgot for a mo-
ment, So you thought me Maitlaid.
Ell? Well. I'm sorry / didn't under
stand that from the first. You're so
quick, az a rule, you know confess
you duped me neatly this afternoon
that / supposed you were wise and
only afraid that I'D give you what you
deserve. If they had sent any one but
that stupid ass. Hickey. to nab me. I'd
be in the cooler now. AS 1t was, you
kindly selected the very best kind OF
a house for my purpose; l went
straight up to the roofs and out
through a building round the corner"
But the shock of discovery. with its
attendant revulsion of feeling. had
been too much for her. She collapsed
suddenly in the chair. eyes half closed.
face pallid as a mask of death.
Anisty regarded her in silence for
meditative instant. then. taking up
the lamp. strobe down the hall to the
pantry. returning presently with
glass brimming with an amber-tinted,
effervescent liquid.
Champagne" he announced, licking
his lips Wish | had Maitland's
means to crafty my palate. He knows
good wine. Here. my dear. gulp this
down." placing the glass to the girls
lips and raising her head that she
might swallow without strangling.
AS 1t was. she choked and gasped.
but after a moment began to show
some signs of having benefited by the
draught. a faint color dawning in her
cheeks.
That's some better" commended
the burglar, not ulkindly. Now II
you please. well stop talking pretty
and get down to brass lacks. Buck up.
now. and answer my questions. And
don't be afraid; I'm holding no great
grudge for what you did this after
noon. ! appreciate pluck and grit as
much as anybody, guess, though do
think you ran 1t pretty close. peach
ing on pal after you'd lifted the
Jewels. By the way, why did you
do it,"
because But you wouldn't under
stand il / told you"
Il suppose not. I'm not much good
splitting sentimental hairs. But Matt
land must have been pretty decent to
you to make you go so far. Speaking
of which. where are they?"
They"
Don't sidestep. We understand one
another. 1 know you've brought back
the jewels. Where have you slowed
them?"
The wine had fulfilled its mission.
endowed her with fresh strength and
renewed spirit. She was thinking
quickly. every wit alert.