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

No answer; n absolute indIRerencs.
shc felt. lay her strongest weapon. She
must keep calm and selfpossessed, 70
fusins 10 be terrified into . quick and
thoughtless answer.
"Tiis afternoon" he said, harshly,
you stole from me the Maitland
jewels. Where are they?"
Il shall not tell"
He bent swiftly forward and took
one OF her hands In his. Instinctively
she clenched Il; and he wrapped bis
strong hard fingers around the small
white FIST. then deliberately Inserted
hard finger Joint between her soc
ond and third knuckles, slowly In
crensIng the pressure. And watched
with absolute Indifference the lines OF
agony grave themselves upon her
smooth unwrlnkled forehead. and the
color leave her cheeks. as the pain
grew too exquisite. Then. suddenly dis
continuing the pressure. but retain
ing her hand, he laughed shortly.
viii you speak. my lady, or VIII
you have more7'
| Don't" she gasped. please"
"where are tina jewels? VIII your
| mo"
"Have you given them 10 MaitIand''
mo"
where are they1"
Il don't know"
stop that nonsense unless Where
did you leave them7"
Il won't tell won't All. please,
pleased"
Tell mel"
"Never. Ah-h!"
An abrupt and resounding hammer.
Ing at the outer door forced him TO
leave on. He dropped her hand with
an oath and springing to his feet drew
his revolver: then, with a glance at
the girl. who was silently weeping.
tears OF pain rolling down her cheeks.
mouth set in a thin pale line OF de-
termination. strobe out and shut the
door after him.
As II closed the girl ieaped to her
feet. maddened with torture. wild eyes
casting about the room for q weapon
OF some sort, OF offense or defense; for
she could not have endured the tor
turc an instant longer. II forced TO II.
20 fight. fight she would. II only she had
something. a stick OF wood. TO defend
herself with. Dut there was nothing,
nothing at all.
The room was a typical Office, well
but severely furnished. The rug that
covered the tile floor was OF rich
quality and rare design. The neutral
tinted walls were bare. but for a
couple OF steel engrayings In heavy
wooden frames. There we're three
heavily upholstered leather arm-chairs
and one revolving desk-chair; roll
top desk. against the partition wall.
. waste-paper basket. and flat.topped
desk. or table. And that was all.
Or not cutie all. else the Office equip.
ment had not been complete. There
was the telephonel
but he would heart Or was the par.
tition soundproof7
As ~ In contradiction OF the sugges.
ton. there came TO her ears very clear.
ly the sound OF the hall door creaking
on its hinges, and then a mans voice.
sbrIll with anger and anxiety.
You fool, DO you want to ruin
us both? What do you mean"
The door crashed TO. interruptine
the protest and drowning Anisty's
reply.
q was passing" the new voice took
up its plaintive remonstrance, "and
the Waterman called me in and said
that you we're telephoning for me-"
Damn the interfering fooll" inter.
rupted Anisty.
But what's this insanity. Anisty
What's this about a woman What
The newcomers tones assembled a high
scale Of fright and rage.
Lower your voice. you asst" the
burglar responded. sternly. And"
lie took his own advice; and for a
little time the conference was con.
Quoted In guarded tones that did not
penetrate the dividing wall save as a
deep rumbiing alternating with an i'm
FASHIONED squeak.
| But long ere this had come TO pass
| Nut bltl was llohiuS All NJ tuc telt'
phone. Receiver TO ear she was i'm.
ploung central TO connect her with
NirHty-eight-nine Madison. II only she
might get Maitland. tell him where the
jewels were hidden. warn him to re
move them-then she could escape
further suffering by open confession.
what NUMBER" came centrars Ian.
guild query. after a space. did you
say CONFERENCE.-The
mo. no. central. Nineo-eight-nlne
Madison. please. and hurry-hurryl
"Ah. I'm rlngin' 'em. They amt
answered yet. Gimme time. There
they are. Go ahead"
Hello hellol"
"Pwhat is ut?"
Her heart sank; o'Hagan's voice
meant that Maitland was out.
"oHagan--ls that you? Tell Mr..
Maitland"
| sIIe's GAVIN ont for the might am