Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-08-17
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warning, throwing so much savage
meaning into his Words that Mrs. Del
aroche was certain there was no pre-
tense about that
Then he walked to the door giving
on the corridor, turned the handle
cautiously, thrust his head through a
second opening, and looked up and
down the hall. Evidently reassured
he opened the door, stepped outside
and closed 1t swiftly and silently
There was not sound to indicate
whether he had gone along the CORR
dor. or still stood Just outside the
door. Mrs. Dearoche waited. listen
ing intently in the hope Of hearing his
footsteps, but she listened vainly. She
waited perhaps q minute, for she had
no desire to hazard q shot from that
terrible thing the burglar had pressed
against her brow. Then her courage
oozed back, and she bounded to the
floor, screaming with all her might.
pausing only long enough to snatch
peignoir and throw It about her
shoulders ere she pulled open the out
er door Of her suite and sent her
shreks shrilling down the long hall
Her cries, for she was n magnificently
constructed animal of most expansive
lung power, not only echoed far along
the corridor, but penetrated even the
sound-proof doors OF the other apart
ments. The disturbance she made
was alarmingly novel to the exclusive
calm of the Hotel Renaissance. Doors
we're flung open. heads popped out
and dozen inquiries were flung at
her from as many parts of the hall;
but Mrs. Delaroche had exhausted her
Conference in framing that one pur.
pose of screaming with all her might
until some man of action should speed
to her assistance. She did not waste
any strength in articulation. She sim
ply screamed. and so eloquent were
her shrieks that although she uttered
no concrete word, only a few of them
we're needed to tell the more intol}i-
gent Of her auditors that she had teen
robbed, and that what she had lost
was of priceless value to her.
Before the fusllade of her cries
died away in scattering fire OF
gasping sobs, half dozen pajamaed
specters were racing down the CORR
dor In the direction they deemed the
burglar had taken. What account
they would have given of themselves:
had they come up with the fugitive is
coniectural. They We're spared the
disagreeable necessity of submitting
their courage to that test, for as tho
burglar turned corner OF the hall
many yards in advance of his pursu.
crs. he was tripped by foot adroitly
! intcrpo!ated in his path and when he
! recovered his breath after Earring
! fall. it was 10 find two men OF sturdy
| build sitting upon him as composedly
! as II nature had planned him for a
| conversation chair. The pistol he had
/ carried in his hands throughout the
pursuit was snatched from his grasp
and although he struggled furiously
his arms were dragged behind his
back and handouts We're snapped
upon his wrists Then he was dragged
! to his feet by four insistent arms and
| impellcd with much vigor along tho
! hallway in the reverse direction to
that which he had followed.
Unmistakable was the rejoicing OF
| the pajama squad at the sight of his
captivity. Undeniably heroic was it,
surge toward him. Faces grim will
postscript bravery were thrust into
the prisoners, and voices raging from
mockery to indignation bombarted
him with questions. All of which the
prisoner met with sullen silence and
with looks that made the squad re-
| treat a pace or two In spite of tho
Armness with which his captors held
him. Mrs. Delaroches fading screams
guided the little group to her apart
ment, where the hands of minsterine
angels had adjusted her peignoir to its
, normal position upon her Junoesque
form and fastened its fiuttering rib
bons In becoming bows. She there re
ceived the heroes of the man hunt
with astonishing composure.
rs this the man who robbed you
madam" asked one of the men who
had caught the burglar. He was the
house detective. Stand behind him
Jim" he said to his colleague, por
ter with the fullback's shoulders.
1T must be- said Mrs. Delaroche
but cannot tell by his face. die
not see it. 1t looks like the man
though. Make him speak"
But that task was beyond the house
NetGHttNl'G Cd h liz
though his mind might be as com
pared with the city's sleuth's and blue
coats, he hardly felt justified In EN-
ploying the most medieval forms O
torture to accomplish that purpose
Seemingly nothing short Of the boot
the thumbscrew and the Iron Nader
would drag a word from the captive
He maintained his sullen silence. al
though It might be said he broke II il
way, for the furious looks he cas
at the pa1ama squad were almost audi
BILE. Those looks caused several o
the squads doughty heroes suddenl.
to realize the unconvenuonality o
itously in search Of dressing gowns
One or two of them remained, how
ever, and the house detective, who, Il
hotels as frostily patrician az tn
Renaissance, did not often have al
opportunity to hold the center OF tn
stage, was fairly we'll content witt
his audience.
Now, then. you!" he said brusqut
ly addressing the prisoner, speak W
What were VIM doing here2"