Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-03

with whatever shrinkings and dire
misGivings. p. Sybarite went on.
without misadventure he gained the
main wall of the house and there
found open windows and upon further
cautious investigation n doorway. like
wise wide. to the bland night air. but
no sound significant OF human tenan-
cy. In spite OF this IL was without the
least confidence that presently he
plucked up courage to proceed.
Three steps on into darkness and his
knee found a chair that might have
poised itself on one leg in malicious
ambush. so promptly did It go over
and with what a racket Incontinently
something rustled quite near Mt hand,
followed click-blinding ight-a
shrill. excited voice:
Hands upI''
With a jerk up went his hands high
above his head Blinking furiously,
be comprehended his plight
The lights he found SO dazzling blazed
from sconces round the walls OF a
bedroom more handsome than any he
had thought ever to see-unless per
haps upon a stage. The voice belonged
and coolly covering him with the
yawning muzzle of sI,peculiarly poison
GUS looking automaS pistol.
1t was astonishingly evident that she
wasn't at all frightened. The arm that
leveled the weapon round and
shapely arm. bare to the shoulder-was
admirably steady. the rich coloring OF
her distinctly handsome face showed
not a trace of pallor.
Abruptly she dropped her weapon
and sat up yet straighter In her hud-
died bed clothing, mouth and eyes
widening with establishment
Well" she said quite simply, "I'n
be hanged If 1t amt a cop!'
r. Sybarite Immediately took occasion
to lower his hands to more comfort
able position.
Thank God" he exclaimed fervent-
~. You're the one woman in thou
sand who knows enough to look be-
fore she shoots! Phew!''
Quite naturally he drew a braided
blue cuff across n beaded forehead.
That's all very WELL" the woman
took him up sharply-"but be careful
I don't shoot after looking. Cop or nc
cop. you-what do you want in my
bedroom at this hour OF the night?'
Madam" p. Sybarite expostulated
agcrieved. yet with an air OF the ut
most candor-''my duty"
Duty she echoed. What do yoI
think you mean by that?"
"PerhanS." he countered blandiy
"you'fe not aware Burglar has passed
this room?"
"A burglar? What rot!'
Pardon me. madam" +. Sybarite
He'd nonchalantIy. but five minutes ago
was called in 10y the people in 233
FOrty-ffth street to nab u burglar
who'd broken in there. They thought
they had him hocked up safe enough in
one of the rooms. but when they came
to open the door and let me ut him
the bird had flown. He'd taken n long
himself from the win
dow ledge to fire escape five feet
lway. saw him climb your fire es-
APE. and so l came after him.
The woman frowned. Would she or
she accept that wildly fanci- !
ul yarn? He made another quick SUI /
rey OF the room and n second and I
more shrewd appraisal OF this admira- !
ply self possessed creature.
A bit too forid and ornate. he con
.luded: woman and lodgings alike
we're somewhat overdone. \ super
abundance OF gilt and pink married the
'olor scheme of the apartment. and
here was ostentatious evidence Of
wealth Iavishly expended on its fur
Sitting up im bed in sillsen night
own, she looked +. Sybarite up and
Iown with wide eyes overvise in the
Ways of life. shrewdly judicious OF
Maybe you're telling the truth. at
hat" she announced suddenly. eyes
Oddly unprepossessed. You sound
shy. and you're the sickest looking
on / ever laid eyes on. But there are
ass unlikely things than that n second
tory man should try this route for his
etaway. Well" she demanded I'M
emily. 'what're you standing there for
Ike a stone MANI
my dear LADY, expostuIated the
ismayed L. Sybarite
IF you're cop go to it-cop some
ody." she replied with brusque laugh.
and then clear out. l can use the
'om and time you're occupying. Be
des. you're slipping the said burglar I
fine young chance to make the front
Dor, unless he's under the bed"
Mechanically obedient to her sugges-
on. down p. Sybarite pumped on his
nees, lifted the silken valance at the
'ot OF the bed, and pretended to ex-
ore the darkness hereunder.
While thus occupied and badgering
S added wits to invent some plaus-
lie way to elude this amazon. he was {
once startled and still further dis
aged TO hear the bed springs creak,
light double thump as two bare feet
und the floor and again the woman's
ice favored with acid sarcasm.
You seem to find it interesting down 4
ere Is It the view? Or are you try .
g to hypnotic your burglar by the Q
wer of the human eyer Z
IT'S pure and simple reverence for