Smyrna times., 1912-11-13
A THIEF~'S
RUSE
By GWENDOLIN L. RICE

burglary, was rearrested on another
charge, brought into court, tried and ac-
quilted for want of evidence. While
waiting for the papers in his case to
be made out he heard the prosecuting
attorney say to ii messenger:
go to my house and ask my
daughter to look in tin box marked
Schneider & Co. in the vault. get out
deed she will find there, give it to
you and bring it back to me-"
"Are you in a hurry, sir?' asked the
messenger
'Why do you ask"
Because I'm to go on another errand
that's very important"
every we'll You may do that one
| first won't need the deed before
this afternoon"
Pete knew the name of the prosecut-
ing attorney very we'll Indeed, he had
been made familiar with it by the fact
that Mr. Wilkinson had arranged for
his lodging in prison on divers Occa-
sions. Moreover, Pete had great per-
ceptive faculties.
As soon as Pete left the courtroom
he sought a drug store and in a few
minutes was turning over the leaves
of a directory hunting for Mr.. Wilkin-
sons home address. Upon finding it
he proceeded to that gentleman's
house, rang the doorbell and called
for Miss Wilkinson" A young lady
came into the hall and asked Pete
what she could do for him.
your father sent me for a deed in
q tin box marked Schneider & Co. in
the vault, miss
"Oh," said the young lady, Il sup
pose he means the silver and jewel
vault 1 believe he keeps some law
papers there I'll go and find them"
Miss Wilkinson tripped upstairs to a
recess in the upper hall and began to
turn a knob on a vault door with
, view to getting inside. Pete's original
J idea was while the young lady was off
looking for the deed to help himself to
any article of value in small bulk he
might see and get away with it. The
mention of the silver and jewel vault
opened up new possibilities.
Peter was hesitating whether to fol-
low Miss Wilkinson and force his way
into the vault when his heart was glad
dened by hearing her call from the
landing above
Il find two deeds in the box. Did ia
ther say which one he wanted?"
st think" said Pete. I'D know it if
was to see it."
[. "Come up, please"
A. -,
rity Here was the chance of his life
n. the jewel and silver vault standing
ht open with no protection except girl
!" He might not have to do any oper
n. work at all. His wits were sharp, anC
m m it was quite possible he could make {
N. pretext to go into the vault and slip ;
few gems into his pocket without being
detected. He found Miss Wilkinson
standing by a table on which was al
/. open tin box full Of papers. She show
ed him two deeds and asked him whicl
he thought her father wanted He eS
n amined both very knowingly, when tn
girl, noticing the name on the box. ez
claimed:
''This isn't it at ALL This is marke
Parker & Treusdale Co. I'll get th
other one"
Couldn't do it for you, miss?"
ter 81 wish you would. It's dark
there, and have trouble with m
eyes. There are several boxes on tn
shelf Look for the one marked Seine
- der & Co. and bring it out into tn
light"
'Yes, miss. My eyes are first rate
Quite beside himself with Joy at tn
unexpected advantage, Pete went
the vault, entered and, instead Of Loo
ing for the boxes, cast his eyes abo'
for the vaIuables. There was nothin
80 far as he could see. but lot Of t
. boxes and musty papers. But befo
he could quite take in the situation
heard the door of the vault shut. Il
knob quickly turned, and he was
prisoner.
Mr.. wilkinson, sitting at his desk
his Office. heard his telephone bell ri
and took up the receiver
"Papa. did you send man for
"a deed in the vault?'
ayes. Why do you askT'
"Whom did you send?"
EQWdTu DedH.
edward Beam didn't come.
another man came. and from the
" thent / laid eyes on him | knew
III was a hardened criminal"
"Great heavens?'
''How did such man know WI
. you wAnted?"
81. don't know. Tell me what
= happened. Anything stolen? Are
safer
"Oh. it's an right"
~ "Whats become Of the manT'
y "He's here"
q "Here. What do you meanT
sI've locked him in the vault
IS 'Tn the vautT
- "Yes''
ma, may "How in the world did you get
Z az khoroSo