Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-08-05


fiattened herself. one hand clutching
the knob, ready to pull it open and ty
upon the first aggressive sound.
In the interval her eyes had become
accustomed to the darkness. The
study door showed a pale oblong on
her right; to her left, and little to-
ward the rear Of the fiat, the door of
Maitland's bed chamber stood ajar.
To this she tiptoed, standing upon the
threshold and listening with every
fiber OF her being. No sounds as OF
the regular respiration of sleeper
warning her, she at length peered
stealthily within; simultaneously she
pressed the button of an electric hand
lamp. Its circumscribed blaze wavered
over pillows and Counterpart spotless
and undisturbed.
Then for the first time she breathed
freely, convinced that she had been
right in surmising that Maitland
would not return that night.
Since early evening she had watched
the house from the window of top
floor hall bedroom in the boarding
house opposite Shortly before seven
she had seen Maitland, stiff and
Incorporating in rigorous even
ing dress, leave in a cab. Since
then only once had light appeared in
his rooms; at about half after nine the
Janitor had appeared in the study,
turning up the gas and going to the
telephone. Whatever the nature Of
the communication received, the girl
had taken ii to indicate that Maitland
had decided to spend the night else
where; for the study light had
burned for some ten minutes, during
which the janitor could occasionally be
seen moving mysteriously about; and
something later, bearing Suitcase,
he had left the house and shufied
rapidly eastward to Madison avenue.
So she felt convinced that she had
all the small hours before her, secure
from interruption. And this time, she
told herself, she purposed making as
surance doubly sure.
But first to guard against discovery
from the street.
Turning back through the hall. she
ing the darkened study. Here all win
dows had been closed and the outer
shades drawn-O'Hagan's last act be-
fore leaving with the suit-case-addi-
tional proof that Maitland was not ex.
pected back that night. For the tenn
perature was high, the air in the
closed room sitting.
Crossing to the windows, the girl
drew down the dark green inner
shades and closed the folding wooden
shutters over them. And was con.
scious of deepened sense of security.
Next going to the telephone, she re-
moved the receiver from the hook and
let it hang at the full length of the
cord. In the dead silence the small
voice of Central was clearly articu-
late: What number? Hello, what
number ?"-followed by the grumbling
of the armature as the operator tried
fruitlessly to ring the disconnected
bell. The girl smiled family aware
that there would now be no Interrupt
ton from an inopportune call.
There remained as final precau-
tion only a grand tour of the fiat;
which she made expeditiously, passing
swiftly and noiselessly Zone contem-
plating midnight raids does not attire
ones self in silks and starched things)
from room to room, all comfortably
empty. Satisfied at last, she found
herself again in the study, and now
boldly, mind at rest, lighted the brass
student lamp with the green shade,
which she discovered on the desk
Standing, hands resting lightly on
hips, breath coming quickly, cheeks
flushed and eyes alight with some in
innate and inscrutable emotion, she
surveyed the room. Out of the dusk
that lay beyond the plash of illumina-
ton beneath the lamp, the furniture
began to take on familiar shapes; the
divans, the heavy leather-cushioned
easy chairs, the tall clock with its pal
lid staring face, the small tables and
tabourettes, handily disposed for the
reception of books and magazines and
pipes and glasses, the towering, old
fashioned mahogany book case, the
useless, ornamental, beautiful Chip
pendale escritoire, in one corner; all
somberly Swallowed 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 1t as 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 light and pressed the
clasp CT her handbag and produced
two articles-a golden cigarette case
and slightly soiled canvas bag. The
Maitland jewels were returning by
devious way, to the their owner.
CTO BE CONTINUED.)
~ ID