The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-08-29
White Cat
Copyright. 1910. BY BObbs-
Merrill Co.

ly. II got down the box-they have al
ways been kept In the smah safe In tbs
top OF my closet When Jane found q
picture OF my niece. Margery Fleming
In Harrys room | thought II likely
there was some truth In the GOSSIP
Jane heard about the two: and. II
there was going TO be a wedding why
the pearls were to go to Margery any
how. But found the door OF the safe
unlocked and little bit open. and ten
OF the pearls were goner'
Gomez | echoed. III ten. why not
the whole ninety eighth
How do | know she replied. with
asperity. That's what I keep law.
yer for"
But you need detective" cried
II will not have the police" she per.
sisted inhexibly. They will come
around asking impertinent questions
and telling tue newspapers that a fool
ish old woman had got what she de
served"
Then you are going to send them to
a bankP
You have less sense than ! thought"
she snapped. 81 am going to leave
them where they are and watch Who.
ever took the ten will be back for
more. mark my words"
| II don't advise IT," snid decidedly
''Stun and nonsenser' the old lady
said. with spirit
THEW what do you want me 10 do?"
] asked Have Bella arrested and her
trunk seaTched?"
Her trunk" she said scornfully. 81
iurned il inside out this morning. I
want you to stay here for three or four
nights When catch the thief | want
my lawyers right by"
II ended by my consPnting. of course
Miss I.etitia was seldom refused Lit
tie Miss lane lighted me to the door of
the guest room. Her thin gray curls
bobbed as she examined the water
pitcher. saw to the towels and felt the
bed linen for dampuess. At the door
she turned around fimidly
"TlaS-anythng happened 10 disturb
my sister, she asked "She-has been
almost irritable all day"
"She is worried about her colored
orphans" | evaded she does not APP
prove of fireworks for them on the
Fourth of July"
put out the light and sat down
near the window. with my cigar and
my thoughts had finished my sec
ond cigar. There was Il sound of fun
bling at one of the shutters below.
With Miss Letitias story OF the pearls
fresh in my mind | felt al once that
the thief. finding his ten prize. had
come back for more.
/ found on the mantel a heavy brass
and with it in my hand |
stepped into the gloom of the hallway |
aud felt my way to the stairs | had |
kicked Off my shoes. fact | regretted |
later. | went into the library. which |
was beneath my room. but the sounds |
ut the window had ceased. | thought |
| heard steps on the walk going to.
ward the front of the house. wheel
ed quickly and started for the door
when something struck me terrific
blow ON the nose. | reeled back and
sat down. dizzy and shocked 1t was
Dnly when no second blow followed the
first that / realized what had occurred.
With my two hands out before me in
he blackness | had CROPPED. one hand
On either side of the open door. which.
II course. / had struck violently with
my nose. My candlestick had rolled
Inder the table. and after crawling
lround on my hands and knees found
t. For all her boosted watchfulness
Hiss Letltia must have been asleep.
| got back into the dining room
rome one was fumbling at the shutters
here. and as | looked they swung
pen. II was so dark outside with the
rees and the distance from the street I
hat only the creaking of the shutter
old IL had opened. | stood in the mid
lie of the room. with one hand firmly
lutching my candlestick.
But the window refused to move.
he burglar seemed to have no proper
ools. He got something under the
ash. but il snapped, and through the
eavy plate glass | could hear him
wearing. Then he abruptly left the
yindow and made for the front of the
ouse.
| Numbered in the same direction.
nv unshod feet striking on projecting
urniture and causing me agonies.
ven through my excitement When |
cached the front door, however, I
'as amazed to fnd It unlocked, and :,
landing open perhaps an inch.
topped uncertainty. ! was in a pc
iliar position. Not even the most ar
emit admirers OF antique brass candle
.icks indorse them as weapons OF Of
,nse or defense. But. there seeming a
, be nothing else to do, | opened the
Dor quietly and stepped out into the
lrkness. -
The next instant | was flung heavily
the porch door. | am not small
IAN by any means. but under the fury
: that onslaught | was a child. Ii
as porch chair. think, that knock
me senseless. | know | folded up
xe jackknife. and that was all
d know for a few minutes.
When l came TO | was lying where
had fallen. and a candle was burning
side me on the porch floor. IL took -
e a minute 70 remember. and another IL
-