The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-05-19
into the front parlor and went up.

Su that us uutue WAS laurence SlrHru,
that he lived In the house with his
niece, who would come OF age In a
few days, and that he and she were
the only persons living there except
the servants, whose names took
down with pretended care.
Having asked all the questions I
dared, shut up my book and depart
ed. One thing l had decided on--that
l wouldn't trust that man to REIN.
burse me for any information might
give him without security. As l was
descending the steps man turned to
enter ut the basement door.
do you live here?" l asked.
Eyes. sir; I'm the butler"
I'm taking the census. Let me sec
IL l have your name"
l looked In the record | had taken
and found the mans name-Richard
Coyne. Then engaged him in con-
versation. found him uncommuni-
cative. asked him what kind of d
man his master was and received an
evaslve reply. But when mentioned
his masters niece he warmed up bit.
Miss Edith Is lovely girl" he said.
ut must be lonely for her hero liv-
ing with an old man." I remarked.
The man made no reply to this, but
there was evidence of something pass
ing In his mind
When left him had made up my
mind that there was mystery con-
nected with the premises. shifted
my theory from hiding burglar,
though l couldn't form any other. l
was seized with an uncomfortable de-
sire to pass the night In the house and
see what happened-that is, IL any
thing did happen. But l despaired of
framing any plan that would enable
me to do so. Then considered tho
expedlency of breaking In. As soon
as ! was convinced that every one in
the house except the person In the
box was asleep l went into tho alley
at the rear and found that by climb
ing over high fence could get into
the back yard of the house In question.
Going to my room, took burglars
Jimmy, some skeleton keys and an
electric hand lamp, and about II
o'clock went back to the house, con-
cealing myself in the back yard. Half
an hour after saw the last light turn
ed out l examined a rear basement
window-not In the hall where the box
was-and, finding that l could take
out pane of glass and unlock the
window, did 3d. After passing inside
and listening sprung my electric light
and found myself In the kitchen. Go
Ing through door into the hall,
located the box from memory. But 1
didn't go near II. l sat down In tho
kitchen and waited.
An hour passed without sound.
Then ! heard screw turning. After
several such raspings / heard board
probably from the top of the box
laid gently on the floor. There were
more screw turnings; then after anoth-
err board was removed l heard sounds
indicating that some one was getting
out of the box. In few minutes more
footsteps indicated n person coming
stealthily toward tho kitchen door.
Drawing revolver l always carried,
l pressed the key OF my electric light
and II fell full on a mans face.
He was nothing like burglar, but
| n well dressed young man about TWEEN.
ty-one. He was very much startled.
Come in here" said, and taking
him into the kitchen, shut the door.
Tell me what this means"
First tell me who you are" he re-
piled.
! told him of my accidental discov-
cry of his entrance into the house.
Then he unfolded a diabolical plot of
the master of the house to make away
with his niece, who, at eighteen, would
be I'm possession of an immense for
tune The young man was her lover
He was ignorant OF what plan her
uncle would adopt to remove her and
get her property, to which he was next
In line of Inheritance, but the servants
had told him that the young lady was
kept prisoner. The maid and the
butler were In the lovers secret. which
was to release the girl
OF course | sympathized with his OBJ
1ect and offered to help him. He had
been Informed as TO the room the girl
was confined In. She knew of his pro-
Jected attempt and was waiting for
him. ] followed him upstairs stealth
lily to the room he sought, and when
we reached 1t he put his hand on tho
knob to open it. He failed TO do 30.
Turning to me with despair on his
face. he whispered:
ITS locked"
LET me try" I said, and, getting
out my skeleton keys. l opened the
door.
Giving place to him. my eyes were
good enough to see that he was Joined
by woman. Without n word all three
of US passed down the staircase, but
found every door locked and the keys
removed. led the lovers to the win.
dow by which had entered, and, pass
ing out, we two men helped the girl
over the fence. From the alley we
entered thoroughfare which Mt that
hour was deserted. | was about ia
leave them when the young man said
Come with us to a clergyman. We
need you to witness our marriage"
That was ny start. didn't preven
burglary Of money. but effected nj
abduction of girl The young maj
declared that without my assistance hi
attempt would have been futile. Thu
day after their marriage the wife fel
heir TO million, and they made mt
handsome present, with permission
to call on them whenever | needed