The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-12-09

unrecognizable subsidized; he even
smiled. And tho girl trembled, know
Ing that he had solved her secret; for
she had hoped against hope that the
only words Ae couls have heard her
spea< would have had too cryptic 0
significance for his comprehension.
As. slowly and composedly. he re-
placed the receiver on Its hook and
returned the instrument 10 the desk,
a short and rotund figure Of a man, IN
rumpled evening dress and wearing
wilted collar. hoped excitedly into the
room. cast at the girl one terrified
glance out Of eyes that gllttered with
excitement like black diamonds, set
In face the hue OF yeast, and
clutched the burglars arm.
"Oh. Anisty, Anistyl" he cried.
piteously. What Is III What IL ~
Tell met"
"lts all right" returned the burglar.
Don't you worry. little man. Pull
yourself together" And laughed.
"But what-what-" stammered the
other
"Only that she's given herself away"
chuckled Anisty; beautifully and
completely. The brass bowl says she
thinking I never saw one on Malt
lands deskl-and 'O'Hagan. and who
the dlvyle are your says the man on
the other end of the wire, when ask
who he is"
"And? And?" pleaded the little
man. dancing with worry.
And II means that my lady here re
turned the jewels to Maitland by hid
ing them under brass ashreceiyer on
his desk-ass that was not to know!
You are cute. my LADY," with an
ironic salute to the girl. but you've
met your match In Anisty."
And" demanded the other as the
burglar snatched up his hat and coat
what will you do, Anisty?"
"Do?" - contemptuously. why.
what is there TO do but go and get
theml We've risked too much and
made New York too hot for the two
OF us, my dear sir. to get out OF the
game without the profits"
'But beg of you"
you needn't"--grimly. 1T won't
bring you in any money"
"But Maitland"
Is out. O'Hagan answered the
phone. Don't you understand"
"But he may returnl"
That's his lookout I'm sorry foi
him II he does" Anisty produced the
revolver from his pocket. and twirled
the cylinder significantly. Il owe Mr..
Maitland something" he said, noddins
20 the white-faced girl by the table.
"and | shouldn't be sorry to-"
"And what" broke In the newcomer.
what am | going TO do meanwhile?"
Devil the bit carei Stay here
and keep this impetuous female from
calling up police headquarters. for a
good guess. Speaking Of which, think
we had best settle this telephone bust.
ness once and for ALL"
The burglar turned again to the
desk and began to work over the in
strument with a small screw-drivei
which he produced from his coat
pocket, talking the while.
Our best plan. my dear Banner
man, is for you to come with me, al
least as far as the nearest corner
You can wait there, II you're too COW
ardly TO go the limit. like q man. I'll
get the loot and Join you. and we can
make a swift hike for the first train
that goes farthest out OF town. A pity
for we've done pretty well. you and
old boy: you with your social entres
and bump of locality TO locate the
spells. me with my courage and skill
TO lift 'em, and an equitable division
oh. don't worry about her. Banner
man, She's as deep in II as either
Of us. only she happens to be senti
mental, and an outsider on this deal
She won't blab. Besides, you're
ruined anyway, as far as New York'i
concerned. Come along. That's fin
ished; she won't send any important
messages over that wire tonight. ]
guess.
My dear young LADY," Rising and
throwing the overcoat over his arm
he waved his hat at her in sardonie
courtesy. Il can't say IL has been q
pleasure to know you. but-you have
made Il interesting. I admit And
bid you very good night. The char
woman will let you out when she
comes TO clean up In the morning
Adieu. my dear!"
The little man hustled after him
bleating and fidgeting; and the ioch
clicked.
She was alone-utterly and forlorn
ly alone-and had lost-lost all. all
that she had priced and hoped to win.
even--even him.
She raised fiuttering, impotent white
hands to her temples, trying to collect
herself
In the outer room a clock was tick
| ing. Unconsciously she moved to the
doorway and stood looking for a time
at the white, expressionless dial. II
was some time-a minute or two-be
fore she deciphered the hour
Ten minutes past two! All. the life
A