The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-08-16
A UNIQUE
CLOCK
BY ALLAN C. LAMOND

long enough. had come to America TO
a new one. pried up window sash oil
the ground floor of u handsome ston,
front residence with Jimmy and en-
tered the drawing room. There wa
nothing in this apartment that the,
could conveniently carry away excep
small clock that stood on the mantel
But it was gem. Indeed. 1t was Sc
with a number of gems. Ii wout
make any fancier of beautiful things ii
love with it at once.
II want that" said Guzzioli. who hat
some of the taste for attractive work
manship Of his race.
Let 1t Alone" interposed Tarantola
you can never turn it into money with
safety. It's just the thing to identify
any one who takes ii. Let's go in and
see If we can find any silver that can
be melted down. or if we dare go up
stairs we may find jewels"
IF can't do any better" replied the
other. II can get the jewels out Of this
one. I'm going to take it."
well. wait till we've been through
the house. 1t may strike the hour
while you're near some of the family
and awaken them"
So the men went into the dining
room, where they found that all the
silver belonging to the family In use
had been left in the sideboard. Guzzi-
oil held open the mouth of bag while
Tarantola stuffed the articles in; then,
leaving the plumber ON the dining room
table. they took off their shoes and
went upstairs, separating on the land
ing to explore different rooms.
Both men were successful Taran-
tola entered bedroom where young
girl was sleeping soundly and succeed
ed in gathering number Of rings,
bracelets and brooches from dresser
without awakening her. He was so
encouraged by his haul that he con-
Guided to go farther.
GuzzioIi found some valuable bric-a-
brac for which he had a fancy. and,
being satisfied to let well enough alone.
he slipped downstairs and made for
the drawing room to secure the clock
he coveted. Taking it from the man
tel. he stuffed it in the side pocket of
his coat and went into the dining room.
where the silver had been left He
was looking about to see IL some arti-
cles had not been overlooked and had
just picked up butter dish when he
heard voice, which seemed to be
right under his elbow:
Drop that.'
The plate ratified on the floor, and
Guzzioli's heart was beating like a trip
hammer. Tarantola upstairs heard the
sound of the falling metal and beat
hasty retreat Entering the dining
room. he accosted his pal in a hoarse
whisper:
what do you mean by your careless
nessT
There's some one here" gasped Guz.
zioli. clutching at his pals hand in ter
ror.
You're scared out of your WITS"
said the other. Come; we've finished
the job. Let's get out"
the table and took up the bag Of silver
and threw it over his shoulder. He
was starting to pass through the draw
ing room when again came the voice:
Drop thatr'
He managed to retain sufficient con.
troll of himself not to let the heavy |
weight down on the floor with thump, |
but he lowered 1t at once and, grasping |
d revolver. stood ready for defense
Since the men had worked only by a
hand electric flash lamp the room was
dark except for what light could get in
through the drawing room windows
from the street
Both men remained perfectly still for
a moment, expecting to be shot down
by some one under cover of the dark
ness. Having remained so for some
time, since nothing happened. Taran-
tola, though he knew he had not been
mistaken In hearing the words. was
about to take up the sack when he
heard voice say. Have you got
everything?"
Meanwhile. the head of the house
had been awakened by the fall of the
silver plate and, getting out of bed.
had gone to the banister and stood
listening. He heard persons whisper
ing and moving below and. darting to
he telephone booth. carefully shut the
door and called the police. Then he
went back to continue his listening.
arriving at his post Immediately after
the question asked by the voice. He
heard some one say:
"Shut upF'
1T isn't me talking. There's some
one beside me all the time"
Then there was a cry of "Pollcer'
The men dropped everything and
made for the window through which
they had come. They got safely out
and started down the street. but ran
right into the arms of the police who
we're coming in response to the tele-
phone call. They were taken back to
the house. and all the articles they had
stolen were found on them except the
;ilverware
When the little clock was taken out
If Guzzioli's pocket, voice. which
came from it. cried a
second time:
Police! Robbers! Come quckr'
The secret was out for ALL Inside
he case. instead of the works of an
ordinary clock, was a photograph
rbfob opIv paadod 70 he p,arad tho&