The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-02-17


Containing his gems She, apparently,
took him for well-known CROOK, Danlel
Anisty.
CHAPTER discontinued.
Did he catch a CLEAN of admiration
m the eyes behind the goggles?
Now, if ever they get hold of my
portrait and print Well!"
sighed the girl wickedly, lifting slim.
bare fingers in affected concern to the
mass of ruddy hair, "in that event l
suppose | shall have to become
natural blonde!"
Her humor, her splendid fearless
ness, the lightness of her tone, COM
bined with the half-laughing, half-se-
rious look that she swept up at him, to
ease the tension of his emotions. For
the first time since entering the room,
he smiled; then in silence for time
regarded her steadfastly, thinking.
So he resembled this burglar, Anis-
ty. strongly enough to be mistaken for
him-eh? Plainly enough the girl be-
lieved him to be Anisty. Well,
and why not? Why shouldn't he be
Anisty for the time being, if it suited
his purpose so to masquerade?
1t might possibly suit his purpose.
He thought his position one uncommon
ly difficult. AS Maitland, he had on his
hands a female thief, hardened char
acter, common malefactor (strange
that he got so little relish of the
termsD. caught red-handed; as Matt
land, his duty was to hand her over
to the law, to be dealt with as-what
she was. Yet, even while these consid-
erations were urging themselves upon
him. he knew his eyes appraised her
with open admiration and interest. She
stood before him, slight, delicate, pref
ty. appealing in her ingenious candor;
and at his mercy. How could he bring
himself to deal with her as he might
with-well, Anisty himself? She was
a woman, he a gentleman.
AS Anisty, however, he chose to
assume that experts identity for the
nonce-he would be placed at once on
a plane of equality with the girl; from
a fellow of her craft she could hardly
refuse attentions. AS Anisty, he would
friendship. to gain-perhaps-her con-
fidence. to learn something of her
necessities, to aid and protect her from
the consequences of her misdeeds;
possibly-to sum up-tO divert her
footsteps to the paths of calling less
hazardous and more honorable.
Worthy ambition-to reform a bur-
glar! Maitland regained something of
his lost self-esteem, applauding him.
self for entertaining a motive so
laudable. And he chose his course, for
better or worse. in these few seconds.
Thereby proving his incontestable title
to the name and repute of Mad Matt
land.
His face lightened his manner
changed; he assumed with avidity the
role for which she had cast him and
which he stood SO ready to accept and
act.
We'll and good he conceded with
an air. Il suppose l may as we'll
own up"
"Oh. | know you" she assured him.
with little. confident shake of her
head. There's no deceiving me. But"
and her smile became rueful, 'if only
you'd waited ten minutes more! OF
course l recognized you from the first
down there by the river; and knew
very well what was your-lay: Won
gave yourself away completely by
mentioning the distance from the river
to the Manor. And l did so want to
get ahead of you on this job What
feather In ones cap, to have fore
stalled Dan Anisty! But
hadn't you better be a little careful
with those lights? You seem to forget
that there are servants in the house
Really. you know, l find you most TO-
manticaliy audacious, Mr.. Anisty-
quite in keeping with your reputation. :"
You overwhelm me-" he murmured
"Believe me. have little conceit in
my fame, such as it is" And, crossing
to the windows, he loosed the heavy
velvet hangings and let them fall to-
gsther, drawing their edges close so
that no ray of light might escape.
She watched him with interest. "You
seem we'll acquainted here"
"Of course. Any man of imagina.
ton is at pains to study every house
he enters. ! have map of the prem
ises-house and grounds-here." He
indicated his forehead with a ling
forefinger.
Quite right; too-and worth ones
while. II rumor is to be believed Won
have ordinarily more than your labor
Tor your pains. You have taught me
something already. All va,,,n
she sighed. Il suppose / NAV al vel,
acknowledge my inferiority-as moo.
phyte to hierophant. Master!" She
courtesied low. Il beg you proceed
and let thy cheela profit through obsar.
yauon!" And small white han. eos-
tured significantly toward the collec-
00e OF burglars tools-drills and