The Washington herald., 1911-02-17
CHAPTER Z.
The Ghost of an Old Regime.


truder wore no shoes. 1t would be a test
of endurance. Fitzgerald recalled some
tricks he had learned in Japan; but even
as he stretched out his arm to perform
one, the arm was caught by the wrist,
while a second hand passed under his ell
bow.
'Don'tr' he gasped Iowiy. ''Tn give
in" His arm would have snapped IL he
hadn't spoken. A muttered oath in Ger
man. "FitzgeraId?" came the query, in a
whisper.
"Yes. For Gods sake. is this you,
Breitmann?''
Ssh! Not so loud! What are you doing
here?'
Listen! 1t has stopped. He has heard
our scuffiing."
"It seems. then that we are both here
for the same purpose?' said Fitzgerald,
pulling down his cuffs, and running his
fingers round his collar.
Yes. You came too late or too soon" :"
Breitmann stopped, and ran his hands
over the rug.
The other saw him but dimly. What's
the matter
81 have lost one of my studs" with the
frugal spirit OF his mothers fwbears.
You are stronger than I thought
''Moch obliged"
IT'S a good thing you did not get that
hold first. You'd have broken my arm" :"
Wouldn't have given in. eh? l simply
cried quits in order to start over again.
There's no fair fighting in the dark, you
know"
We'll. We have frightened him away
1t is too bad"
What have you on your feet?''
Felt slippers"
Are you afraid Of the coldT'
A laugh. Not IT,
Come with me-"
Where"
First to the cellar. Remember that
hot-air box from the furnace, that backs
the chimney, way up"
II looked only at the bricks"
We'll go and have look at that box.
1t just occurred to me that there is a
cellar window within two feet Of that
box"
Let us hurry. Can you find the way?"
II can try"
But Iights?'
Fitzgerald exhibited his electric pocket
lamp. This will do
You Americans
After some mistakes they found their
way to the cellar. The window was
closed. but not locked. and resting against
the wall was a plank. 1t leaned obliquely,
as If left in a hurry. Fitzgerald took it
up, and bridged between the box and the
window ledge. Breitmann gave him leg
up. and in another moment he was exam
lining the brick wall of the great chimney
under a circular white patch of light. A
dozen rows of bricks had been cleverly
looSened. There were also evidences of
chalk marks, something on the order of
diagram; but it was rather uncertain, as
it had been redrawn four or five times.
The man hadn't been sure of his ground
Can you seer askd Fitzgerald.
Yes" Only Breitmann himself knew
what wild rage lay back of that mono
syllable. He was sure now; that diagram
brushed away any lingering doubt. The
lock had been trifed with. but the man
who had done the work had not been sure
of his dimensions.
Clever piece of work. Took away the
mortar in his pockets; no sign of it here.
The admiral had better send for his brick
layer, for more reasons than one. There'n
be a defective fue presently. Now. what
the devil is the duffer expecting to find?-'
Fitzgerald coOlly turned the light full
into the others face.
TT is beyond me-" with equal coolness;
unless there's q pirates treasure behind
there" The eyes blihked little, which
was but natural
Pirates treasure, you sayr' Fitzgerald
laughed. THAT would be a joke, eh?'
What nOw?' For Breitmann thought
it best to leave the initiative with his
friend
"A little run out to the stables" recall
ing TO mind the rnnor OF the night be-
fore.
THE stables?''
why. surely. The fellow never got in
here without some local assistance. and
1 am rather certain that this comes from
the stables. Besides. no one will be ex-
pecting US" He came down agiIely
Breitmann nodded approvingly at the
ease with which the other made the de-
scent 1T would be wiser to leave the
cellar by the window he suggested.
My idea. too. Well make a step out
of this board. The stars are bright
enough Fitzgerald climbed out first
and then gave hand to Breitmann.
Il understood there was a burglar alarm
in the house,
Yes: but this very window, being open.
planned. But I'm crazy to learn what he
is looking for. Double your coat over
your white shirt"
Breitmann was already preceding with
this task A dog-trot brought them into
the>Soadway, but they kept to the grass
They were within a yard of the stable |
doors when a hound began believing |
Rreitmann smothered a laugh and Fitz- |
gerald curse.
THE quicker we get back to the cellar |
the better" was the formers observation. |
And they returned at clip, scrambling |
into the cellar as quickly and silently as |
they could, and made for the upper floors. /
Come into my room," said Fitzgerald; |
its only midnight"
Breitmann agreed II had any refuc-
lance. he did not show it Fitzgerald /
produced cigars
do my clothes look anything like
yours?' asked Breitmann dryfy, striking |
a match.
Possibly" -
They looked themselves over for any T
real damage. There were no rents, but /
there were cobwebs on the wool and
Of lyrSf on the linen