Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-04-14

abandon his kit"
But il was not his"
Not Anisty's?"
"Anisty does not depend on such
artiquated methods. Mr.. Maitland:
save that in extreme instances, with
a particularly stubborn safe, he en-
ploys a high explosive that, SO far as
we can find out, is practically noise
less. Its nature is a mystery 4.
But such old-fashioned strong-boxes
as yours at Greenfields he opens by
ear, SO to speak-listens to the combi-
nation. He was once an expert, repu-
tably employed by prominent firm
Of safe manufacturers. in whose SER
vice he gained the skill that has made
him-what he is"
But, Maitland cast about at ran
dom, feeling himself cornered-'may
he not have had accomplices?"
Hes no such fool. Unless he has
gone mad, he worked alone / presume
you discovered no accomphce?"
81? The devil, mol"
Snaith smiled mysteriously, then fell
thoughtful, pondering.
you are an enigma" he said, at
length. Il can not understand why
you refuse US all information, when
consider that the jewels were
yours"
Are mine," Maitland corrected.
mo longer"
Il beg your pardon; have them"
Snaith shook his head, smiling in
credulously. Maitland flushed with
annoyance and resentment, then on
impulse rose and strode into the ad-
Joining bedroom, returning with q
small canvas bag.
"You shall see for yourself" he said,
depositing the bag on the desk and
fumbling with drawstring. 'If you will
be kind enough to step over here"
Mr.. Snaith, still unconvinced, hesi-
tated, then assented, hating a brief
distance from Maitland and toying alb
stractedly with his cane while the
young man plucked at the drawstring.
"Deuced tight knot. this" COM
mented Maitland, annoyed.
No matter. Don't trouble, please.
I'm quite satisfied, believe me-"
"Oh, you are!"
Maitland turned; and in the act Of
turning, the loaded head of the cane
landed with crushing force upon his
temple.
For an instant he stood swaying,
eyes closed, face robbed of every yes
tige of color, deep lines of agony
craven in his forehead and about his
mouth; then fell like a lifeless thing,
limp and invertebrate.
The soi-disant Mr.. Snaith caught
him and let him gently and without
sound to the floor.
Poor fool" he commented, kneel-
ing to make a hasty examination.
Hope haven't done for him. .
1t would be the first time.
Bad precedent! :. So, He's all
right-conscious within an hour.
{. Too soon!" he added, standing and
looking down. well, turn abouts fair
play"
He swung on his heel and entered
the hallway, pausing at the door long
enough to shoot the bolt; then passed
hastily through the other chambers,
searching, to Judge by his manner.
In the end closed door attracted
him; he jerked it open, with an ex-
clamation of relief. 1t gave upon a
large bare room, used by Maitland as
a trunk closet. Here were stout leath-
er straps and cords in ample measure.
Mr.. Snaith" selected one from them
quickly but with care. choosing the
strongest
In two more minutes, Maitland.
trussed, gagged, still unconscious, and
breathing heavily, occupied a divan
in his smoking-room, while his assail-
ant, in the bedroom, ears keen to
catch the least sound from without,
was rapidly and cheerfully arraying
himself in the Maitland gray-striped
fannels and accessories-even to the
gray socks which had been specified.
"The less chances one takes, the
better" soliloquized "Mr. Snaith."
He stood erect, in another mans
shoes, squaring back his shoulders,
discarding the Disgusting stoop. and
confronted his image in a pier-glass.
Good enough Maitland" he com
mented, with a little satisfied nod to
his counterfeit presentment. But
well make it better still"
A single quick jerk denuded his up
per lip; he slowed the mustache care
fully away in his breast pocket. The
moistened corner of a towel make
quick work of the crows feet about his
eyes, and, simultaneously, robbed him
of dozen apparent years. A pair of
yellow chamois gloves, placed conven-
iently on dressing table, covered
hands that no art could make resemble
Maitlands. And it was Daniel Matt
land who studied himself In the pier
glass.