The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-09-23
CHAPTER VII.


In breath was sell satisfaction
hanished: simultaneously the masque
raider brought his gaze down from tho
ceiling. his thoughts 20 earth. his vigi.
lance to the surface. and himself to his
feet. summoning to his aid all that no
possessed Of resource and expedien,.
Trapped'--the word blazed incan.
descent in his brain. SO long had he
foreseen and planned against this very
moment
Yet panic swayed him for but M.
tie instant. as swiftly as IL had over
come him Il subsidized. leaving him
shocked. n shade more pale. but rapid.
ly reassertIng control OF his faculties.
And with this shade OF emotion came
complete reinsurance.
His name had been uttered In no
stern or menacing tone: rather its
syllables had been pitched In a low
and guarded key. with an undcrnote
OF raillery and cordiality. In brief. the
moment that he recognized the voice
as a womans. he was again master OF
himself. and. aware that the result OF
hts instructive impulse TO rise and de-
fend himself. which had brought him
10 a standing position. would be In.
terpreted as only the natural action OF
a gentleman addressed by a feminine
acquaintance. he was confident that
he had not betrayed his primal con.
sternation. He bowed. smiled. and
with eyes in which astonishment swift.
ly gave place TO qualification and com.
plete comprehension. appraised her
who had addressed him.
She seemed TO have nuttered TO the
table. beside which she nov stood.
slightly swaylng. her walking costume
OF gray shot silk falling about her in
soft. tremulous petals. Dainty. chic.
well-poised. serene. iawlessly pretty
In her miniature fashion: Anls,y rec.
ognized her in a twinkllng. Ills per.
ceptions. trained TO observations as In.
Simultaneous as those OF a snapshot
camera. and weil.nigh as accurate.
had photographed her individuality In.
delibly upon the Aim OF his memory.
even in the abbreviated encounter Of
the previous night.
by similar play Of educated reason,
ing faculties keyed TO the highest pitch
OF immediate action. he had difficulty
as scant In accounting for her pres.
ence there. What he did not quite
comprehend was why Maitland had
used her so kindly: for II had been
plain enough that that gentleman had
surprised her In the act OF safe. break.
ing before conniving at her escape.
But, allowing that Maitland's actions
had been based upon motives vague 10
the burglars understanding. II was
quite In the scheme OF possibilities
that he should have arranged TO NEE,
HIS proteyee at the restaurant that
afternoon. She was come TO keep an
appointment TO wbleA tnow that An.
isty came 10 remember) Maitland had
alluded In the beginning OF their con.
ycrsatlon.
Well and good: once before. within
the past two hours. he had told him.
self that he was Goodenough Matt
land. lie was be even better now.
But you did surprise mel" he de
clared. CALAMITY. before she could won
der at his slowness to respond. You
see. | was dreaming"
He permitted her to surmlse the oh
ject round which his dreams had been
woven.
And had expected you TO be Gag
erly watching for mel" she parted.
archly.
Il was mentally. But" he
warned her. seriously, not that name
Maitland is known here; they call me
Maitland-the walters. II seems /
made a bad choics. But with your a.
sistance and discretion we can blun N
out. all right"
Il forgot. Forgive me-" But nov
she was In the chair opposite him
tucking the lower ends OF her gloves
into their wrists.
mo mattcr-nobody heard"
Il very nearly called you Handsome
Dan" She flashed a radiant smile az
him from beneath the rim OF her pic
ture hat.
A fire was kindled In Anisty's eyes:
he was conscious OF qulokened drum
ming of his pulses.
Dan is Maitland's front name
Also" he remarked. absently.
Il thought as much" she responded,
quietly speculative.
The burglar hardly heard. II has
been indicated that he vas quick.
wltted, because he had 10 be. In the
very nature OF his ayocation. Just
now his brain was working rather
more rapidly than usual. even; which
Was one reason why the light had
leaped into his eyes.
CTO RE CONTINuEDl