The Washington times., 1910-03-13

II WAC Hdii past Twelve on the
twenty-third Of May.
The tan young man with the long
dark coat a coat that enveloped him
completely, reached the corner at the
same instant that the electric lights
went out. They went out for the same
reason that lights go out on all stormy
Dights-a reason that few men ever
knew, and those few have forgotten.
The man stood there for an instant
rocking up and down the street.
He may have been waiting for car.
II he was. he was disappointed.
In the distance tire faint light Of an
electric cleaned through the moisture.
II was receding of course, as is the
habit Of street Couy eyances.
The yourS man breathed a sigh
a beastly night" he exclaimed all
10 himself in a pleasant. weil-modu-
lated voice.
1t didn't seem to worry him He said
it with the same easy nonchalance as
though it were the finest Of evenings
$50 much the better" he continued
in the same happy frame Of mind
Nevertheless he drew his coat the
closer about him and turned up the
collar. Then. removing his opera hat,
he shook the rain from ii and replaced
it upon his head.
But although the storm continued
with unlimited force. he did not seek
shelter. but still stood upon the cor
ner, cIanclng repeatedly up and down
the cross streets. peerng into the dark
ness to see what he could see and
thrustinG his head forward and IL one
side. to hear what ne could hear
He stood thus Tor some four or five
minutes-a long while TO stand and look
and listen And he saw nothing and
heard nothing.
Finally he thrust his hand into the
depths Of his long coat, and from the
inside half pulled out a watch.
He did not look at il, for two rea-
sons. first because the rain would have
ruined 1t: second, because IL was too
dark TO see. Instead. he pressed a small
spring. Il was a repeater, and it struck
the hour.
Quarter 20 J. he remarked softly
10 himself. I'm just in time
That's good watch" he con-
tinued. zone Of the best. I'll wager, IN
the old mans stock and "A Grst-cIass
stock ne carries. too--or did, up TO
night before last"
He laughed noiselessIy to himself. and
then, with an upward glance AT the cor
ner building. he moved over toward il.
as though seeking shelter from the
storm.
II was a bank-one Of those old-fash-
toned kind. with a high corner stoop
covered 10y the conventional species OF
portico.
Another man would have ascended
this stoop and taken his stand under
;he portico. which furnished ample pro-
lection from the wet. But not so this
man.
Instead. with unheard footsteps. he
moved half way down the length OF
the bank on the side street and paused
in front of a ground-foor window
There were six windows on that side.
He selected the third one. after ex-
aiming it with care.
As was the case with ali the others.
this window was barred with iron bars.
They also were oId-fashioued. somewhat
wide apart, and ran from top 10 bottom
with no supporting plate between.
Having completed his investi Cation
the man in the long coat Strengthened
up and stood with his back 20 the win
dow, and once more looked about him.
Il was bad place 10 stand. The wa
ter from the roof poured down in q
steady stream upon his head
He never needed 10. however After
looking and listening for another in
slant. he merely wrapped long scarf
about HE neck AMI drew his coat Sill
more closely around him. and then
again stopped down and-what2
No one knows Turned up his trOU-
sers, perhaps
II Il were that. II took some time.
and required considerab bic care.
Again he Strengthened up and again
stood still Noe entirely. though for he
kept one heel tap-tap-tappinE upon the
flag beneath.
And as he tapped a rasping. grating
sound became perCeptibIc, slight. but
still distinct. II came from behind him
Once more he spoke.
Great Scott" he exclaimed, what a
boon these new automatic heel ma
chimes have come 10 be The man that
makes them deserves a place along with
the inventor Of the typewriter and the
sewing machine and the cotton gin
They do the business in no time, and
do il well TN have 10 write the fellow
testimonial and nave il published
over my signature and under my pOr-
trait ! will. too. II ever If the worst
comes to the worst. I've got the nerve
But he kept on tapping Suddenly
there was a sharp whirring sound and
then loud snap.
Number one,' he exclaimed.
Again he stopped and made another
adjustment. Having done this, he once
more examined the window and the
his
As he did so A small CLEAN OF light
played around the bottom Of one Of the
long bars. Il came from a tiny mean
descent lamp held in the hollow Of his
palm.
This new inspection seemed highly sat
iEfactOTy Again he resumed his tap
tap-tapping-