Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-03-17

and should by right have presented 10
his vision a blank expanse of dark
glass. But, oddly enough, even while
thinking of his lawyers warning, he
had fancied. "Ah!" said
Maitland, softly.
A disk of white light, perhaps foot
or 18 inches in diameter, had fitted
swiftly across the glass and vanished.
"Ah, ah The devil, the devill"
murmured the young man. uncon-
sciously.
The light appeared again, dancing
athwart the inner wall of the room,
and was lost as abruptly as before. On
impulse Maitland buttoned his top
coat across his chest, turning up the
collar to hide his linen, darted stealthily
a yard or two to one side, and with
one noiseless bound reached the floor
of the veranda. A breath later he
stood by the front door, where, at
first glance, he discovered the means
Of entrance used by the midnight ma
rauder; the doors stood ajar, black
interval showing between them.
So that, then, was the way! Cau-
tiously Maitland put hand upon the
knob and pushed.
sharp, penetrating squeak brought
him to an abrupt standstill, heart ham,
mering shamefully again. Gathering
himself to spring, if need be, he crept
back toward the library windows, and
accommodating cautiously determined
the fact that the bolts had Just been
withdrawn on the inside of one win
dow frame, which was swinging wide.
''It's wise crook that provides his
own quick exit" considered Maitland.
The sagacious one was not, appar-
emily, leaving at that moment. On the
contrary having made all things ready
for hurried flight upon the tirst
alarm, the intruder turned back, as
was clearly indicated by the motion of
the light within. The clink of steel
touching steel became audible; and
Maitland nodded. Bannerman was in
deed justified; at that very moment
the safe was being attacked.
Maitland returned noiselessly to the
door. His mouth had settled into a
hard, unyielding, thin line; and dan
gerous light flickered in his eyes,
Temporarily the idler had stepped
aside, giving place to the real man
that was Maitland-the man ready to
fight for his own, naked hands against
firearms, if it need be. True, he had
but to step into the gunroom to find
weapons in plenty; but these must be
then loaded to be of service, and
precious moments wasted in the pro.
cess-moments in which the burglar
might gain access to and make off
with his booty.
Maitland had no notion whatever OF
permitting anything of the sort to
occur. He counted upon taking his
enemy unawares, difficult as he be
lieved such feat would be, in the
case of professional cracksman.
Down the hallway he groped his way
to the library door, his fingers al
length encountering its panels; it was
closed, doubtless secured upon the in
side; the slightest movement of the
handle was calculated to alarm the
housebreaker Maitland paused, delib
Grating another and better plan, hav
ing in mind short passageway con
Meeting library and smoking room. Ii
the library itself a heavy tapestry cur
; tanned its opening, while an equal!
heavy portiere took the place of a dool
at the other end. In the natural ordel
of things burglar would overlook
this.
Inch by inch the young man edged
into the smoking room, the door tt
which providentially stood Enclosed
Once within, it was but moment.
{ work to feel his way to the velve
, folds and draw them aside, fortunately
r without rattling the brass rings from
r which the curtain depended. And ther
Maitland was in the passage, acutely
! on the alert, recognizing from the con
| tinued click of metal that his antagon
| ist-to-be was still at his difficult task
Inch by inch-there was the tapestry
{ Very gently the householder pushed i
aside.
( An insidious aroma of scorching var
5 nish (the dark lantern) penetrated the
) passage while he stood on it's thresh
, old, feeling for the electric ligh
: switch. Unhappily he missed this a
! the first cast, and-heard from within
: a quick, deep hiss of breath. Some
! thing had put the burglar on guard.
: Another instant wasted and
2 would be too late The young maj
1 had to chance 1t. And he did, withou
further hesitation stepping boldly int
the danger zone, at the same TIM
I making one final, desperate pass at thu
D spot where the switch should hav'
: been-and missing it. On the instan
there came click of different cali
! ber from those that had preceded II
: A revolver had been cooked some