The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-05-05

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 rarleying
through the 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 crouchia 2
as 1t ready to spring. only restrained
by the sight OF his own revolver,
steady and threatening in Mast,and's
hand.
4 For the least part Of second the
young man hesitated, choosing his
way. Then, resolved, In accents OF
determination: Stand up. you hound"
he cried Back to the wall there"
and thrust the weapon under the burg
lars nose.
/ The move gained instant obedience.
Mr.. Anisty could not reasonably hest
tate in the face of such odds.
4 'sAnd you," Maitland continued over
his shoulder to the girl without remov-
ing his attention from the burglar. into
the alcove there, at once! And not
word, not whisper. not sound until
I call you!'
She gave him one frightened and
piteous glance. then, unquestioning
slipped quietly behind the portieres.
/ To Anisty, again: Turn your peck
cts out!" commanded Maitland.
Quick, you fool! The police are be-
low; your freedom depends on your
haste"
Anisty's hands flew 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 moments
representation and
"That will do" he said, crisply,
without raising his voice. Now listen
to me. At the end OF the hall, there,
you'll find a trunk closet, from which
a window"
Il know
Naturally you would. Now go!"
! Anisty waited for no repetition of
the permission. Whatever the mad
ness of Mad Maitland, he was con-
cerned only to profit by it. Never be-
fore had the long arm OF the law
stretched hungry fingers so near his
collar. He went, springing down the
! hall in long, soundless strides, vanish
ing into its 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
.clatter OF shivered glass. A thin cloud
Of vapor obscured the doorway, sway
ing on the hot, still air, then parted
and dissolved, dissipated by the en-
trance of four men who, thrustfng 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
majesty bobbed rusty derby. cooked
| jauntily back upon the red, shining
forehead Of short and thick-set per-
son with q black mustache. O'Hagan's
agitated cOuntenance doomed over a
dusty shoulder, and the battered silk
hat OF the nighthawk brought up the
| rear.
Come in, everybody" Maitland
greeted them cheerfully, turning back
into the study and tossing the revol-
yer, shreds OF smoke still curling up
from it's muzzle, upon divan.
"O'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 Yolley of questions, to the
general purport of Whats tn meanin'
OF all this here?'' assailed Maitland as
l.
he rested himself coolly on an edge
Of the desk. He responded, with one
eyebrow slightly elevated:
"A burglar. What did you suppose?
That was INDUCING in target practice
| at this time of night"
Which way'd he go?"
Back Of the flat-through the win
dow to the nre-escape. suppose. II
took couple OF shots after him, but
missed. and, inasmuch as he was
armed, didn't pursue"
Hickey stepped forward, glowering
l{lnpleasantly at the young man. "Yeh1
Hso along" he told the uniformed man,
nd see x he's tellin' the truth. ri
stay here nd keep him company"
His tone amused Maitland. In the
reaction from the recent strain upon
| his wits and nerve. he laughed openly.
And who are you?" he suggested.
smiling, as the policeman clumped
heavily away.
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