Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-07-20

"But it was not his
Not Anisty's?''
"Anisty does not depend on such
Anticipated methods, Mr.. Maitland;
save that in extreme instances, with
particularly stubborn safe, he en-
ploys a high explosive that, so far as
we can find out, is practically noise
less. Its nature is mystery :.
But such old-fashioned strong-boxes
as yours at Greenfelds 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?"
He's no such fool. Unless he has
gone mad, he worked alone. l presume
you discovered no accomplice?"
az? The devil, nol''
Snaith smiled mysteriously, then fell
thoughtful, bordering.
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"
L beg your pardon; l have them"
Snaith shook his head, smiling in
credulously. Maitland flushed with
annoyance and resentment, then on
impulse rose and strobe into the ad-
joining bedroom, returning with a
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, hest
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-"
On, you arei
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 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 hasty examination.
Hope haven't done for him.
1t would be the first time.
Bad precedent Sol He's all
right-conscious within an hour.
{. Too soon" he added, standing and
looking down. well, turn about's 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 a 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
trunk closet. Here were stout leath-
er straps and cords in ample measure.
MIR. Snaith" selected one from them
but with care. choosing the
strongest.
In TWO more minutes, Maitland
gagged, still unconscious. and
breathing heavily, occupied a diyan
IN his smoking-room, while his assaiI-
ant, In the bedroom, ears keen to
catch the least sound from without
was rapidly. and cheerfully arraying
nimself in the Maitland gray-striped
hanneis and accessories-even to the
gray socks which had been specified 1
Inc less chances one takes. the
soliloquized "Mr. Snaith.o
He stood erect, in another mans s
SHOES, squaring back his shoulders {
nscarding the Disgusting stoop. and
confronted his image in a pier-glass
Good enough Maitland" he com. {
nented, with little satisfied nod to :
lis counterfeit presentment. But I
ven make it better still" t
A single quick jerk denuded his m c
er lip; he slowed the mustache care '
ully away in his breast pocket. The
noistened corner of a. towel make r
uick work of the crows feet about his Q
yes, and, simultaneously, robbed him
I dozen apparent years. A pair of
elbow chamois gloves, placed conven-
emily on dressing table, covered y
ands that no art could make resemble
And it was Daniel Matt a
ana who studied himself in the pier I,
lass.