The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-12-06

pose OF screaming Win all ner Nigh
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 few OF then
we're needed to tell the more intelli
gent Of her auditors that she had beer
robbed, and that what she had lost
was of priceless value to her.
Before the fusillade of her cries
died away in scattering fire Of
gasping sobs, half a dozen pa1amaed
specters were racing down the corrt
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 b
eontectural. They were spared the
disagreeable necessity Of submitting
their courage 10 that test, for as the
burglar turned a corner of the hall
many yards in advance Of his puryu-
srs, he was tripped by foot adre4tiy
fntsrpolsted IN his path, and wheH he
recovered his breath after Earring
fall, II was to find two men of sturdy
build sitting upon him as oomposedly
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 furtously,
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
impelled with much vigor along the
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 its
surge toward han. Faces grim with
postscript bravery were thrust into
the prisoners, and voices raging from
mockery to Indignation bombarded
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 the
frmness with which his captors held
Hill. MI D DCldl UNllG . ldulllB SCI6dIuS
guided the little group to her apart
ment, where the hands of ministerin-
angels had adjusted her peignoir to its
normal position upon her Junoesqus
form and fastened its futtering 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, a por-
ter with the fullback's shoulders.
1T must be-" said Mrs. Delaroche,
but cannot tell by his face. l did
not see It. II looks like the man,
though. Make him speak"
But that task was beyond the house
detectives powers. irresponsible
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 OF
torture to accomplish that purpose.
Seemingly, nothing short Of the boot,
the thumbscrew and the Iron Maiden
would drag a word from the captive.
He maintained his sullen silence, al
though II might be said he broke it in
a way, for the furious looks he cast
at the pajama squad were almost audi
BILE. Those looks caused several Of
the squads doughty heroes suddenly
to realize the unconventionality Of
their attire, and TO send them precip-
itously in search of dressing gowns.
One or two Of them remained, how
ever, and the house detective, who, In
hotels as frostily patrician as the
Renaissance, did not often have an
opportunity 10 hold the center Of the
stage, was fairly we'll content with
his audience.
Now, then, you'll" he said, brusque-
ly addressing the prisoner, speak up.
What were you doing here?"
He got my jewels!" cried Mrs, Del
aroche.
The prisoner turned one of his sui |
len looks upon her, but, conscious that |
she was robed as daintily as the most /
society actress in the Du |
Barryest Of bedroom scenes could be, |
her equanimity was not so vulnerable |
as that of the deserters from the pa
jana squad.
He took the whole case of jewels |
from under my pillow" she continued, |
the house detective They /
must be in his possession still, unless /
he dropped them while he was running
away"
I'VE will soon find out" said the
leading man. Jim, go through him."
Jim only shrugged those fullback
shoulders when the burglar attempted
to petrify him with a look, and his
search through the prisoners pockets
was thorough. Mrs. Delaroche gasped
her delight when from the captive's
coat the porter drew forth heavy sil-
yer casket, and held It toward her.
rs that your property, madam
asked the house detective.
Yes, yes" said Mrs. Delaroche, Gag.
erly. "Oh, dear, l am so glad he did
not escape with It. What would
She checked herself hastily.
You must come to me in the morn.
ng, MINI for a reward" she add
ID in tones 20 sweetly suggestive Of