The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-10-23

Sf1FG me 9SS BEyaQty ne H<1EQ
There was a little wait Then an an
swer IN voice he knew came over the
wire.
Carson picked up a penholder from
the desk and began tapping lightly on
the rim of the transmitter. 1t was a
code message in Morse. In the room
around the corner the tapping sounded
clearly. ticking out the message that
the way was free for the thieves com
ing.
For a final safeguard Carson search
ed for and found the telephone bell
box and unscrewed the bells, which he
placed on the desk. He then took his
pistol from his hip pocket and thrust
it into the right side pocket of his coat.
Once again. now, he produced the cleo
tr1c torch and lighted 1t as he extin-
gutshed the lamp on the table.
He then went to the door into the
hall, opened it and, leaving it ajar,
made his way Ia silence to the outer
doorway. The doors there were freed
Of their bolts, and one OF them swung.
wide So nicely had the affair been
timed that hardly was the door open
before the three men slipped In and
stood mute and motionless in the hall
while Carson refastened the doors.
Then Carson walked quickly back to
the library Behind him, with steps az
notseless as his own. came the three
men.
brary Carson shut the hail door,
touched the button in the wall beside
ii, and the Chandelier threw its radiant
light on the group.
Griggs was in evening clothes, seem
ing a very elegant young gentleman
indeed, but his two companions were
of grosser type as far as appearances
went-one, Dacey, thin and wiry, with
ferret face; the other, Chicago Red,
q brawny ruf1an, whose stolid features
nevertheless exhibited something of
half sullen good nature.
every thing all right so 1aT," Carson
said rapidly. He turned to GrIggs and
pointed toward the heavy hangings
that shrouded the octagonal window
care those the things we wantY' he
demanded
'sYes,'' was the answer.
swell, then, we've got to get busy"
Before he could add direction he
was halted by a soft buzzing from the
telephone. For an instant he hesitated
while the others regarded him doubt
fully. 4
We've got to take chance" Gar
SON went to the desk and put the re-
cefver to his ear.
There came again the faint tapping
OF some one at the other end of the
line, signaling a message in the Morse
code. An expression of blank amaze
ment. which grew In q fash to deep
concern, showed on Garson's face as
he listened teAsely.
why, this is Mary calling he mutt
tered.
ssMaryg' Griggs cried
eyes, she's on Carson interpreted a
moment later as the tapping ceased for
a little. He translated in a loud w1is-
per as the irregular ticking noise
sounded again.
II shall be there almost at once. I
am sending this message from the
drug store around the cerner. Have
some one open the door for me imIne-
dfately.7
.'she's coming ovsrr' Grgss crsed in
credulously.
mo, m stop her. Carson declared
firmly.
But when after tapping few words
the forser paused for the reply no
sound came.
'sShe don't answer he exclaimed.
'-On her way already Griggs sug-
gested. +T'u LET her In He drew
small torch from the skirt pocket of
his coat and crossed to the hall door as
Carson nodded assent.
God! Why did she have to come?''
Carson muttered, filed with forebod-
1ngs. Ell anything should go wrong
now!''
He turned back toward the door just
as it opened, and Mary darted into the
room, with Griggs following closely at
her heels.
what do you want here?'' he de-
manded, with peremptory savagenesz
in his voice, which was a tone he had
never hitherto used in addressing her.
There was only tender pleading in
Mary's voice though her words were
an arrafgnment.
'sJoe, you lied to me!''
'HThat can be settled 1ater!" the man
snapped. Els jaw was thrust forward
obstinately, and his clear eyes spar
killed. def7antly.
NYou are fools, all Of your Mary
cried eyes, foolsI This is burglary
can't protect you IL you are caught
How can +? Oh, conner She held out
her hands pleadingly toward Carson, 1
and her voice dropped to beseeching
"Joe, Joe, you must get away from
this house at once. all of youg Joe,
make them goi''
sTt's too late was the stern an
swer Were here now, and wen stay
tin the business is done"
'tJoe, for my sake!''
''I can't quit now. until we've got
what we came here after" he declared
roughly.
@Boys. let's get away! Please, oh.
pleased Joe, for Gods saker' Her tone
was a sob.
'I'm going to see this through said
Carson doggedIy.
With gesture of despair she turned
away toward the door by which she
had entered.