The Washington herald., 1913-09-21

able to the man by the door. who dared
not move.
He can't read in that light. What
ans him?" the watcher asked himself
| dumbly.
At that moment the man in the night
dress placed the book softly on the floor.
! walked to the dresser, and began comb
ing his hair.
II seemed ten minutes before he stop
ped using the comb. Brady could just
make out the reflection of his face in
the mirror, and it seemed unnaturally
drawn and fixed; the eyes starchy and
CLASSY.
A chill crept up the back of the man
sneak to the stairs, and each time his
judgment got the better of him.
Suddenly the man in the nightrobe
stalked toward the door. Brady clutched
his revolver tightly and made ready to
press the button on his electric light.
! When the man was within four feet
! the burglar gritted his teeth, his, trig-
ger finger twitched, and he stood ready
| for a surprise. But the figure in white
walked straight on ana dId not notnce
him. Brady's paw dropped; a confusion
of thoughts forced their way into hiss
dazed mind.
Meanwhile the man had stalked
straight on past him and already was
walking down the stairs, without so
much as guiding himself by the rail.
"HypnCtizedI' Bloke's mind gasped,
and then a series of conclusions burst
upon him. The mans actions were un-
accountable. He must be sick; insane;
deaf; blind, or sleep walking!
, As the thief stood wondering he heard
bare feet on the first landing and quick
over the stairway, with the aid of his
night lamp, he made out the man near
the bottom. Like a flash he snapped off
the light and rushed after him, quickly,
quietly.
Already the householder was in the
parlor when his follower reached the
first floor
Standing behind a curtain, Bloke
found his curious companion sitting on
the piano stool, staring straight at
the instrument.
As he watched. the man drew up
one fco; and sat upon it; then slowly
he pulled up the other. cramped it be-
meath him, and sat like a tailor, his
eyes always remaining fixed straight
& head.
Grins after midnight in strange
houses were not usual with Bloke, but
suddenly his face formed into one huge
grin the man ne was WaICnlnS
grasped the piano ledge. and. giving
a forceful push. swung round and
round on the stool.
As the speed slackened the rider
reached out again. gave himself an
other shove and continued his merry
go-Tounding.
It was all Brady could do to keep
from laughing aloud. In fact, he did
mutter. in a hushed ejaculation:
"waIkin' in his sleep! Well I'll be
bIowed"'
As the stool seat wound to the bot
tom IL stopped abruptly: the sitter
Jumped from it. staring straight ahead
an the time, his face fixed. and walked
on into the next room, which was the
den.
Grady followed quietly. with a smile
and stood peering in at the door as
the man rummaged at a desk in the
corner. ..
Enough moonlight came through the
window to show Brady that the -ieep-
walker had opened a secrets er
beneath the secretary Bloke shank
hack with a quick intake of breath
as he heard a metallic tinkle and re-
allied that the man of the house had
gone to the hiding place of the gems.
Well, this is easy" smiled Brady
"Takin' me right where he's got the
goods hid; 1t might have took me
some time to find dem.f
In his excitement Brady entered the