Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-17

redoubled activity, to become abnormal
! ly acute For the first time he was
conscious of the imperative clamor of
the electric bell in OHagan's quarters,
as well as Of the janitor's rich brogue
voicing his indignation as he opened
the basement door and prepared TO as
cend. Instantly the cause of the dis
turbance flashed upon him.
His strangle-hold on Anisty relaxed
he released the man, and. brows knitted
with the concentration of his thoughts,
he stepped back and over to the girl.
, lifting her hand and gently taking the
revolver from her fingers.
Below. O'Hagan was parleying
through tho closed door with the late
| callers. Maitland could have blessed
his hot-headed Irish stupidity for the
delay he was causing.
Already Anisty was on his feet again,
blind with rage and crouching as If
ready to spring, only restrained by the
sight of his own revolver. steady and
threatening in Maitlands hand.
For the least part of a second the
young man hesitated, choosing his way.
Then, resolved, in accents of determine
/ ton, stand up, you hound" he cried.
Back to the wall there" and thrust the
weapon under the burglars nose.
The move gained instant obedience.
Mr.. Anisty could not reasonably hesi-
tate in the face Of such odds.
And you" Maitland continued over
his shoulder to the girl, without re-
moving his attention from the burglar,
Into the alcove there, at once And
not a word, not a whisper not sound
until 1 call your
She gave him one frightened and
piteous glance, then, unquestioning,
slipped quietly behind the portieres.
To Anisty. again: Turn your pockets
QUIT" commanded Maitland. Quick, you
fool! The police are below; your free
dom depends on your haste"
Anisty's hands few to his pockets,
emptying their contents on the floor.
Maitland's eyes sought in vain the
shape of the canvas bag. But time was
too precious. Another momc1t's pro-
crastination and
That will do" he said crisply. with
out raising his voice. Now listen to
me. At the end Of the hall, there, you'll
find a trunk-closet. from which a win
dow"
II know"
Naturally you would. No wgor'
Anisty waited for no repetition of the
permission. Whatever the madness of
Mad Maitland. he was concerned only
70 profit by IT. Never before had the
long arm of the law stretched hungry
fingers so near his collar. He went,
springing down the hall in long. sound
less strides, vanishing into it's shadows.
AS he disappeared Maitland stepped to
the door, raised his revolver. and pulled
the trigger twice. The shots detonated
loudly in that confined space, and rang
coincident with the clash and CHATTER of
shivered glass. A thin cloud of vapor
obscured tho doorway, swaying on the
hot, still air, then parted and dissolved,
dissipated by the entrance of four men
Who thrusting the door violently open,
struggled into the hallway.
Blue cloth and brass buttons moved
conspicuously in the van, grim face
flushed and perspiring beneath the he'll
NETS vizor, a revolver poised menac-
ingly in one hand, locust as ready In
the other. Behind this outward and
visible manifestation of the laws me-
| jesty bobbed rusty derby, cooked
/ iauntily back upon the red, shining fore
| mead of a short and thick-set person
with a black mustache O'Hagan's agi-
lated countenance doomed over a dusty
shoulder, and the battered silk hat of
the nighthawk brought UP the rear.
Come in. everybody" Maitland greet
ed them cheerfully, turning back into
the study and tossing the revolver,
shreds of smoke still curling up from
its muzzle, upon divan. % Hagan'
he called, on second thought, jump
downstairs and see that all New YORK
/ doesn't get in. Let nobody in!'
AS the janitor unwillingly obeyed'
policeman and detective found their
tongues. A volIey of questions, to the
general purport of Whats tn meanin
OF all this here?'' assailed Maitland as
he rested himself coolly on an edge Of the
desk. He responded, with one eyebrow
slightly elevated:
"a burglar. What did you suppose?
That 1 was indulging in target practice
at this time OF night?'
(which way ID he go?'
Back of the flat-through the window
to the fire-escape, I suppose. 1 took a
couple of shots at him, but missed, and
inasmuch as he was armed. didn't puT-
sue"
Hickey stepped forward, glowering I'M
pleasantly at the young man. "Yeh go
along" he told the uniformed man, end
see 4 he's tellin' the truth. I'll stay
here md keep him company"
| His tone amused Maitland. In the re-
action from the recent strain upon his
wits and nerve, he laughed openly.
And who are your" he suggested,
smiling, as the policeman dumped heav-
lily away.
| Hickey spat thoughtfully into Satsuma
jardiniere and sneered- Il s'pose yen
never saw me before2"
| Maitland bowed affirmation. I'm sor-
ry to say that that pleasure has hereto
fore been denied me-
''Uh-huh," agreed the detective sourly,
LEI guess that's a hot one, too" He
seowled blackly in Maitland's amazed face
and seemed abruptly to swell with mys-
terious rage. MY names Hickey" he in
! formed him venomously, "and don't yeh
lose sight of that after this. It's some
I thin II won't hurt yeh to remember.
Guess yer memry's taking vacation,
lhuh?'
MY dear man." said Maitland, you
speak in parallels and--if you'll pardon
my noticing it-with some uncalled-for
spleen. Might I suggest that you mod
crate your tone? For" he continued, fac
ling the man squarely, "if you don't, it
win be my duty and pleasure to hoist
you into the street."
I IT got a photograph of yeh doing it.
growled Hickey. Still, seeing as yeh
never saw me before, 1 guess it won't
do no harm for yeh TO connect with
this" And he turned back his coat, I'M
FER |