The newspaper., 1909-01-29
..Hlsh,- he cautioned her.

OF II he was playing fools part ne
| knew 1t: the truth is simply that he
could not hate done other than as he
did. Consciously he believed himself
| to be merely testing the girl; subcon-
sciously he was plastic in the grip OF
an emotion stronger than he-moist
clay upon the potter's whirling wheel.
The interior of the safe was re-
vealed in shape little different from
that of the ordinary household strong
box. There were several account
books, ledgers and the like, together
with some packages of docketed bills,
in the pigeon holes. The cash box,
itself safe within a safe. showed
blank face broken by small combi-
nation dial Behind this. in a Sc
creted compartment. the Maitland heir
looms languished, half forgotten of
their needless owner.
The cash box combination offered
less difficulty than had the outer dial.
Maitland had it open in twinkling.
Then. brazenly liftins out the inner
framework bodily. he thrust a fun
bling hand into the aperture thus dis
closed and pressed the spring. re-
leasing the panel at the back. Ii dis
appeared as though by witchcraft,
and the splash of light from the bulls
eye discovered a canvas bag squatting
humbly in the secret compartment;
fat little canvas bag. considerably soiled
from much handling. such as is used
by banks for coin. sturdy, matter-of-
fact. everyday sort of canvas bag,
with nothing about It OF hauteur. no
air of self-importance or ostentation.
TO betray the fact that it was the re-
ceptacle OF small fortune.
At Maitland's ear. incredulous;
How did you guess?" she breathed.
He took thought and breath. both
briefly. and prevaricated shamelessly:
"Bribed the head clerk of the safe
manufacturer who built this"
Rising. he passed over to the center
table. the girl following. STEADY with
the lght.".he whispered: and loosed
the string around the mouth OF the
bag. pouring its contents. a glistening.
priceless. flaming. iridiscent treasure
horde. upon the table.
oh" said small voice at his side.
And again and again: "Oh. oh, on"
Maitland himself was moved by the
wonder OF IT, The jewels seemed TO
ill the room with a flashing. amazing.
coruscant glamour. rainbow-like. His
breath came hot and fast as he gazed
upon the trove: queens ransom.
fortune incaleulable even 10 its owner.
As for the girl. he thought that the
wonder OF IL must have struck her
dumb. Not a sound came from the
spot where she stood.
Then. abruptly. the sun went out:
a. least, such was the effect. the light
Of the hand lamp vanished utterly.
leaving a partly-colored blur swim
ming sgains, the impenetrable black
ness. before his eyes.
His lips opened. but a small hand
fell firmly upon his own. and tiny.
tremulous whisper shriiled in his ear.
'Hush-ah. hush"
What"
Steady some one coming
the jewels"
lie heard the dull musical clash OF
them AS her hands swept them back
into the bag. and cold. sickening fear
rendered him almost faint with the
sense OF trust misplaced. Illusion re-
solved into brutal realities. His fingers
closed convulsively about her wrists:
but she held passive.
"Ah. but | might have expected
that" came her reproachful whisper.
Take them. then. my-my partner
that was" Her tone cut like knife.
and the touch Of the canvas bag. as
she forced 1t into his hands. WAS hate
ful 10 him.
Forgive me-" he began.
But llsten'"
For a space he obeycd. the silence
at first seeming tremendous: then.
faint but distinct. he heard the tinkle
and slide OF the brazen rings support
ing the smoking room portiere.
His hand sought the girls; she had
not moved. and the cool. frm pressure
OF her fingers steadied him. He
thought quickly.
Quick" he told her In the least OF
whispers. Leave by the window you
opened and wait for me by the motor
car"
Not"
There was no time to demonstrate
with her. Already he had slipped away.
shaping a course for the entrance to
the passage. But the dominant thought
in his mind was that At all costs the
girl must be spared the exposure. She
IVES to be saved, whatever the hazard.
Afterwards-
The tapestry rustled. but he was