The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-04-07

What's the use when a mans only
chance Is to run crooked, unless he
wants to starve?"
That night Halves had yielded to
the temptation. He had seen Red"
Red knew that man Of Halves ad-
dress, a gentleman, in spite of his
past, would be of use to him. To
gether they might pull of a job or
two. For instance, there was the new
big house up Marsden way. The old
guy who lived there wouldn't put up
much Of fight, even If he woke, and
1t was said he had dinner service of
solid silver, and bis wife had jewels
So much Red" had learned from
prowhng about the neighborhood. If
Halves didn't join him he was fool
Halves agreed to join him. He was
waiting for Red" and before he had
finished his meal the man came In.
They talked in whispers. Soon the
plan was arranged. Red" was to
wait at the rear of the house with
the bakers cart he knew where to
obtain. Halves was to enter the din
ing room window. OF course, Red"
was expert at effectfng entrances of
private houses, but Halves must show
his worth and get little practice.
There amt nothing to it," smiled
Red" scornfully. IT'S as easy as
opening pie And If you're spotted.
it's fifty to one no bullet II hit you
In the dark. You'll get your nerve
after the first try"
At midnight Halves stood shivering
outside the house. The coup was to
be pulled of in half an hour; Red"
would come by with the cart, and the
spoils were to be dumped inside. Then
the two would gallop away together
1t required accurate timing, for OF
course the cart could not stay more
than minute or two In the same
place. There watches were set to-
gether.
At fifteen minutes past the hour
Halves climbed to the window of the
dining room, thrust up the piece of
wire between the windows, and forced
back the catch. Noiselessly, as RED"
had taught him, he threw up the sash.
A moment later he had descended in
side. He struck a match, found the
electric light, and turned it on for an
instant, just long enough to show him
the silver left carelessly upon the side
board.
HAYES had burlap bag to hold
these articles, but that part of the
work was to come later There were
the jewels, left, as Red believed,
upon the bedroom bureau at night
To get these was the problem. Halves
had not sunk so low as to attack
woman; he was doubtful whether he
could enter a strange room without
awakening the occupant. Then he did
not know the situation of the bureau
in the dark He was half minded to
content himself with the silver But
the thought Of Reds" jeers made
him resolve to reconnoitre at least.
He crept slowly upstairs.
There were four rooms leading
from the top of the stairway. One
Of the doors stood slightly ajar.
HAYES crept to the entrance. He
heard light breathing within.
The moon shone through the win
dow. After a moment Halves made
out the figure of child in the bed
This, then, could not be the place.
He crept out. A board squeaked I'M
der his foot He heard the child stir,
and then, In a sudden access of min
gled disgust and fear, he FASTENED
down the stairs. The silver would be
enough for him. And thenceforward
he would conine himself to forms Of
crime which did not require the
faculties possessed by Red" 1t was
one thing to make war upon the
world and another to be sneak thief
He entered the dining room.
switched on the lights again, and
turned to the silver. He had just
taken up the first piece, a coffee pot,
when he heard light football behind
him. He turned, to see the child
standing In the door. looking at him.
Daddy" said the child.