The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-03-10
CHAPTER II-(Continued).

"How?"
"Don't you ask questions" bullied
ne old man. his harsh voice rising. II
int asked you why you broke into my
house in the middle Of the night,
bolgh knew 1t was you who came
he other day to check the electric
meter. I saw you an I've been waitin'
Ior you ever since"
~ knew all about that" said Jimmy
.aImly, and fiicked the ash Of his Gig
ret away with his little finger, "and
thought you would"
Suddenly he stopped speaking and
istened.
sked quickly, but the look on the old
mans face treasured him.
Nobody" said Reale testify. 1--WE
rot a special house for the servants
nd they come in every morning after
we unfixed my-burglar alarms" He
rrinned, and then a look of alarm came
INTO his face.
The alarms!" he whispered; "you
broke them when you came in. Jimmy.
heard the signal. II there's some one
n the house we shouldn't know 1t
now"
They listened.
Down below in the hall something
.reaked, then the sound Of a soft thud
came up.
Hes skipped tho rug" whispered
Jimmy. and switched out the light.
The two men heard a stealthy foot
step on the stair and waited. There
WAS the momentary CLINT OF a light,
Ind the sound of some one breathing
heavily. Jimmy leant over and whis-
pered in the old mans ear.
Then, a. the handle of the door was
burned and the door pushed open, Jim
INV switched on the light.
The was a short, thick
bet man with a broad, red face. He
wore q check suit of a particularly
glaring pattern, and on the back Of
his head was stuck a bowler hat, the
harrow brim Of which seemed to en-
phasize the breadth of his face. A cas-
bal observer might have placed him
Tor a coarse, good natured man of rude
but boisterous humor. The chronological
student would have known him at once
kor what he was--a cruel man-beast
without capacity for pity.
He started back as the lights went
bn, blinking a little, but his hand held
hn automatic pistol hat covered the
occupants of the room.
Put up your hands," he growled.
rPut 'em up!"
Unused, and looked it, stroking his
short beard with his white tapering
fingers. The old man was fury in
%carnate.
He 1t was hat turned to Jimmy
and croaked:
What did l tell We, Jimmy? what've
always said. Jimmy? Massey is a pig
hes got the manners of a pig.
Put up your hands!" Kissed the man
with the pistol. Put 'em up, or I'll
put you both out"
IF he'd come first, Jimmy!" Old
Reale wrung his hands in his regret.
f"S'pose he'd jumped the rug-any
sneak thief could have done that-d'ye
think he'd have spotted the man In
armor? II you'd only get the man in
arinor ready again"
Put your pistol down. Massey" said
Jimmy coolly, unless you want some-
thing to play with. Old man Reale's
too Ill for the gymnastics you suggest,
and I'm not inclined to oblige YOU"
The man clustered.
by God, IL you try any of your
monkey tricks with me. either Of you
"Oh. I'm only a visitor like your
self" said Jimmy, with a wave Of his
|hand; and as to monkey tricks, why
could have shot you before you en-
|tered the room"
Massey IrOWned and stood twiddling
|his pistol.
You'll find a safety catch on the
peft side of the BARREL" continued Jim
Pny, pointing to the pistol; 'snick 1t
|up--you can always push it down again
with your thumb IL you really mean
business. You are not my idea Of a
burglar. You breathe too noisily. and
you are built too clumsily; why, 1
beard you open the front door!"
The quiet contempt in the tone
brought a deeper red into the mans
"Oh. you are a clever 'un. we know"
pc began. and the old man, who had
recovered his self-command, motioned
5nim to a chair.
sit down, Mister Massey" he
mapped; 'sit down, my fine fellow, an
ell US all the news. Jimmy an me
was Just speakin' about you, me an
Glmmy was. We was. saying what q
lhe gentleman you was"-his voice
grew shrill-"what a swine, what an
pverfed. numbering fool Of a pig you
was, Mister Massey"
He sank back into the depths of his
chair exhausted.
Look here, governor" began Massey
egain-he had laid his pistol on a table
py MS side, and waved a large red hand
20 give point to his remarks-'we don't
want any unpleasantness. I've been a
Sood friend to you. an so has Jimmy.
we've done your dirty work for years,
me an Jimmy have, and Jimmy knows
Turning with an ingratiating smirk
70 the subject Of his remarks-"and
pow we want a bit of III own-that Is
al 1t amounts to, our own"
Old Reale looked under his shaggy
EYEBROWS to where Jimmy sat with
Prooding eyes watching the fire.
so it's a plant, Ell? You're both in
~ Jimmy m first, he being the
Elever one, an puts the lay nice an
mug for the other feller."
Jimmy shook his head.
. wrong" he said. He turned his
Eead m took a long scrutiny of the
newcomer, and the amused contempt of
nls gaze vas too apparent.
Look at himi" he said at last. Our
pear Massey! Does he look the sort
~ person | am likely to share con-
Fldence within
A cold passion seemed suddenly to
possess him.
It's a coincidence that brought us
fogether."
He rose and walked to where Massey
fat' and stared down at him. There was
6~omething in the look that sent Mas
feys hand wandering to his pistol.
Massey, you dog" he began, then
Ehecked himself with a laugh and
walked to the other II of the room.
mere was a tantalus with a soda 81
bnon, n he poured himself a stiff
portion and sent the soda fizzling into
INC tumbler. He held the glass to the
Eght and looked at the old man. There
Cas a look on the old mans face that
kne remembered to have seen before.
k,e crank his whisky and gave utter