Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-06-27


hold nad retired. was surprised,
therefore, when | saw faint streak
of light from one of the windows flash
out across the lawn. Not wishing to
intrude, / changed my position. Al
most at that instant / saw the figure
Of man appear from the shrubbery
and walk directly toward the house,
apparently headed for the window
from which emerged the light.
/ watched him advance, and when
saw him reach the heavily barred trei-
lis which ran up to the second gallery,
/ felt confirmed in my suspicion that
he was burglar. Approaching care
fully in the shadow, made rapid
run at him, and as his head was turned
at the time, managed to catch him
about the neck by an arm. His face,
thus thrown back, was illuminated by
the fare of light. I saw him plainly.
1t was Gordon Orme!
The light disappeared. There was no
cry from above. The great house, lying
dark and silent, heard no alarm. did
not stop to reason about this, but tight
ened my grip upon him in so fell a
fashion that all his arts in wrestling
could avail him nothing. l had caught
him from behind, and now / held him
with hand on each of his arms above
the elbow. No man could escape me
when I had that hold.
He did not speak. but struggled ST.
lently with all his power. At length he
relaxed trifle / stood close to him,
slipped my left arm under his left
along his back, and caught his right
arm in my left hand. Then / took
from his pocket pistol which / put
into my own. | felt in his clothing
and finally discovered a knife. hidden
in a scabbard at the back Of his neck.
drew it out-a long bladed. ivory
thing found it LATER with gold let
into the hilt and woven into the steel.
He eased himself in my grip as much
as he could. waiting. as l knew, for his
chance to twist and grapple with me.
l could feel him breathing deeply and
easily. raating, waiting for his time,
using bis brains to aid his body with
perfect deiiberation.
.sIt's no use. Orme,' | said to him.
'T can wiring your neck or break your
back or twist your arms off. and I've
notion t. do them all If you make
any attempt to get away I'm going to
kill you. Now come along"
I showed him ahead of me. his arms
pinionSd, until we found a seat far
away iIi dark portion of the great
front yard. Here pushed him down
and took the other end of the seat, COW
ering him with his own pistol.
Now" / demanded, tell me what
you are doing here"
You have your privilege at guess
Ing" he sneered in his easy. mocking
way. Have you never taken a little
adventure of this sort yourself?"
in Virginia we keep the shotgun for
men who prowl around houses at
night" l said. What are you doing
here?s
'You have no right to ask. 1t is not
your house,
"There was light said l. For
that reason l have right to ask.
am a guest, and guest has duties as
well as host"
If give you parole" he asked.
"will you believe me and let. us talk
lreely?"
YES said / slowly. 'You are a
liar. but do not think you will break
parole"
l threw the pistol on the seat be-
tween us. what is it you want to
know?' I asked. And again I ask
you why are you here when you are
supposed to be in South Carolina?"
II have business here. You cost me
my chance out there in the west" he
answered slowly. I'm turn cost you
your chance there. shall cost you
other things here. / said you should
pay my debt He motioned toward
my neck with his slim finger.
"Yes, you saved my life." said,
"and / have hated you for that ever
since"
"Will you make me one promise?'
perhaps, but not in advance"
"And will you keep it?"
IF make it."
'.Will you promise me to do one
thing you have already promised to
do?'
"Orme, / am in no mood to sit here
and gossip like an old woman"
"Oh don't act ugly. You're done out
of it all around, in any case. Belknap,
it seems. was to beat both you and
me. Then why should not you and Il
try to forget? But now as to this lit
tie promise. was only going to ask
you to do as much as Belknap, or less"
very well, then"
q want you to promise to marry
Grace Sheraton"
1 laughed in his face. 81 thought you
knew me better than that, -Orme. I'll
attend to my own matters for myself