Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-20

She had thrown her hat and cape aside and
at the moment bending low over the dark Of the
opened safe reaching into its recesses with white
and rounded arm. / made no sound; of that was
certain. Yet sixth sense must have warned
her of my presence For without rhyme she
suddenly stood erect. and swinging about in her
tracks, confronted me.
Her face, which had been little flushed from stoop.
ing white. She stared at me without speaking,
her eyes wide with terrified wonder.
l stared back at her with snguarly dlsengaged
mind. l felt, in fact. very much at my ease very
much the master of the situation
Her next move, however, threw new complexion
on the situation. For she UNEXPECTEDLY let her hand
dart out the wall beside her, just behind the safe
top AS she did so, 1 could hear the snap of a switch
button; the next moment the lights went out.
l stood there. unprepared for any offensive de-
fensiye movement Yet my enemy. I knew not
idle AS l stood peerng unavailingy through the
gloom could hear the quick thud of the safe door
being shut. Then came the distinct sound of heavy
key being thrust and turned in metal loclthe safe
obviously, of the oldfashioned key-tumbler make
and then the noise of this key being withdrawn
Then click two Of shoe heels, rustic
of clothing. and moment later the startling sharp
SCATTERING of a window pane.
The had deliberately locked the safe and
flung the key through the window! She had defeated
Inc in the first movement of our encounter.
BE good to turn that light!'
manded.
Not a sound came from the darkness
Turn up that light" cried "or I'll fire! I'll rake
every foot of this room" And with that l gave
very significant double click to my cgarette-case
spring.
The light again, suddenly it went
out. | dscreety pocketed my cigarette
"Sit down." commanded. authoritatively and
yet ofhandedly as could 1t was then that she
spoke for the first time.
Thank YOU prefer to stand" her answer
She spoke calmly and distinctly and almost without
accent.
'You will be here for some time" limited
And you:' she asked I noticed an almost per-
ceptble shrug of her softly rounded shoulder.
"l'l be here until that safe is opened" was my
retort
That long?" she Knocked.
That long," repeated. exasperated at her slow
smile.
"Ah, then shall sit down." she murmured as she
caught up the lace cape and adjusted it about her
shoulders. For. believe me, that will be very very
long time. monsieur"
1t suddenly flashed over me. as T watched her that
her ruse might have been a doublebarreled
Ohliquely such as hers would have unseen conYolu-
tons 1t was not the key to the safe she had flung
through the window! She would never have been
so foolish. 1t trick, subterfuge She still
had that key somewhere about her.
And now what must doF' she asked she drew
the cloak closer about her shoulders,
You can hand me over the key to that SAFE" was
THAT is quite mpossible."
81 want that key | insisted.
"Pardon, but is this not-dangerous?" she mildly
inquired as it not So to break into houses at mid
night. and rob women"
1t was my turn to laugh
Not bit of it," calmly assured her. And you
can Judge If I'm frightened not There's
thing much more dangerous than that!"
She again studying with her puzzled and
ever-narrowing eyes.
(Which means?" she prompted.
well, for example the theft Of governmental naval
Codes among other things.
You very very drunk she retorted with her
quietly scoling smile. "Or you insane quite in
May not lock my jewels in my safe?
All, begin to see-this is trick that you may steal
from me-"
Then why not send for the police?" I challenged.
pointing toward the telephone.
A look Of guile crept into her studlous eyes
You will permit that?' she asked
81 invite it," was my answer
"Then | shall call for help"
"Only from the police"
yes shall call for help" she repeated. crossing
to the telephone.
l leaned forward as she stood in front Of it.
caught her bare in my left hand, just below the
elbow. AS drew it backward it brought her body
against mine pnning her other arm down close
against my side.
The thing rcpugnant to me- but it was neces
sary As | pinoned her there writing and pant
ing I deliberately thrust my right hand into the
open bosom OF her gown ! was dimly conscious or
faint aura of perfume, Of n sense OF warmth be-
hind the soft and ace-fringed cOrsdge. But it was
the key itself that redeemed the assault and brought
gasp Of relief to my lips the huge brass key, as
big AS an egg beaer.
The womaH staggered to q chair, white to the
lips; and fer moment two l thought she
You known you can still call the police" told
her faced the heavy black door Of the safe One
turn of the wrist. knew, would bring face to
face with my prize.
a sudden movement from the woman, as I stopped
over the safe deer, brought me round IN fash. She
was on her feet and halfway across the room before
could intercept her.
That earlier assault at my hands seemed to have
intimidaed her. l could see nctua! terror IN her
eyes as forced her back against the wall.
Watt" she cried, catching at my arm. IF there
is anything you want will give It to You"
"There several thngs / wart' my
compromising answer.
But why should you want them?" she asked, still
cilngng to my
ITS my duty to take them" replied, unconscious
of any mendacity. That's what I'm sent here for
That's why I've watched the who gave you the
packet"
what packet"
1.-The packet you took in Madison Square hour
ago; the packet you locked in this safe And If you
|
This Is some mistake, some very sad mistake she
had the enrontery to declare. Her arm still chung
to NJ Her face very close to mine as she went
Il explain everything, II you will only give
tho time-everything! I can show you where
You wrong. and how you may sufer through a
mistake like this!'
what are you going to do"' she asked, as she
~atetsd me shove chair over agaiAst the wall,
slrcctlf beside the safe.
wv going to seat you very comfortably in this
very comfortable chair" informed hsr and in this
equally comfortable corner directly behind the ssfe
door. And at the first trick or sign OF trouble. o.