The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-12-12

Joe Carson, against Mary's protest.
agrees with Eddie Griggs. another crook,
20 help commit burglary in elders
home.
For a final safeguard Carson search
ed for and found the telephone bell
box and unscrewed the bells. which he
placed OH the desk. He then took his
pistol from his hip pocket and thu llSt
it into the right side pocket of his coat.
Once again. now. be produced the elec-
trio torch aud lighted it as he extin-
guished the lamp on the table.
He then went To the door into the
hall, opened il and. leaving it ajar.
made his way in silence TO the outer
doorway. The doors there were freed
Of their bolts. and one of them swung
wide. So nicely bad the affair been
timed that hardly was the door open
before the three men slipped in and
stood mute and motionleSs i'm the hall
while Carson refaStened the doors.
the library, Behind him. with steps as
nOiseless as his own. came the three
nell
When all were gathered in the IL
brary Carson shut the hall door.
touched the button in the wall beside
it. and the chandelier threw its radiant
light on the group.
Griggs was in evening clothes. seem
ing very elegant young gentleman
indeed, but his two companions were
of groSser type as far AZ appearances
went-One. Dacey. thin and wiry. with
a ferret face: the other. Chicago Red.
a brawny rutfiau. whose stolid features
exhibited something Of
half sullen good nature.
Everything all right so far" Carson
said rapidly. He turned to Griggs and
pointed toward the heavy hangings
that shrouded the octasonal window.
Are those the things we want?' he
demanded.
Yes" was the answer
We'll, then, we've got to get busy"
Before be could add direction he
was halted 10y a soft buzzing from the
telephone. For an instant he heSitated
while the others regarded him doubt
fully.
We've got TO take chance" Gar
son went TO the desk and put the re-
cciver 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 a fash TO deep
concern. showed on Garson's face as
he listened tensely.
Why, this is Mary calling" he nut
tered.
Mary" Griggs cried.
Yes, she's Oh" Carson interpreted a
moment later as the tapping ceased for
a little He translated in loud whis-
per as the irregular ticking noise
sounded again.
Il shall be there almost at once.
am sendiug this message fron The
drug store around the corner. Have
some one open the door for ME iume-
diately.'
She's coming over" Griggs cried in
creduIously.
No, III stop her." Carson declared
firmly.
But when after tapping a few words
The forger paused for the reply no
sound came.
She don't answer" he exclaimed.
"OD her way already" Griggs sug-
geSted. IN let her in." He drew a
small torch from the skirt pocket Of
his coat and crossed to the hall door as
Carson nodded assent.
Cod Why did she have to Gomez"
Carson muttered. filed with forebod-
ings IF anything should go wrong
uowr'
He turned back toward the door Just
as it opened, and Mary darted into the
room. with Griggs following closely at
her heels.
Whit do you want here:" he de-
manded With peremptory savageness
in his voice. which was a tone be had
never hitherto used in addressing her.
There was only tender pleading in
Mary's voice. though her words were
an arraignmept.
Joe, you lied to me"'
That can be settled later. the man
snapped His jaw was thrust forward
obStinately. aud bis clear eyes spar
killed. detiantIy.
ali Is
cried. Yes. fools. This is burglary.