The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-08-19

remain as he found himself.
A knock at the door was answered
with CHEEKY invitation to enter. Mrs.
Arkley opened the door far enough to
apologize for the disturbance.
"Mr. Masterson has just called, she
explained He brought those papers
on the Brooks property and some
money. He is sorry he didn't get it
to you before banking hours; and he
would rather not keep it in his own
house DO you want to speak to him."
"Ahem, Tell him, all right Ark
ley begged his wife In bland tones.
On the whole, he would rather not
have had the money in the house un-
der the circumstances 1t was not
that he exactly doubted the honesty
of Welton; he simply felt sort of an
ability to get superstitious about the
coincidence. Of course, he couldn't
do such an obvious thing as to send
the money out of the house, with Vel
ton to overhear. He thought of going
out, eXcusing himself to Welton, and
asking Masterson to take it elsewhere
But all he did, after all, was TO ask
Mrs Arkley to take care Of the money
After a little more talking and a
suggestion finally from Arkley that it
were better to postpone further con-
sideration until the morning, Welton
was shown to his room. He had ac-
cepted an invitation for the night
while at dinner
Arkley chided himself mentally for
the anxiety that took possession of
him after separating from Welton. He
honestly believed in the man, but the
chain Of condolences held him the
captive of worry, Masterson had new
er been afraid to keep money over
night before.
Arkley did not dare tell his wife
what kept him wakeful. If she had
but the inkling Of an idea that an eX-
didn't know Just what she would do
so he kept the matter to himself.
He was obliged to make a pretense
of sleeping to keep the good lady from
suspecting something unusual but he
lay awake long while, wondering and
at times listening. 1t was only what
might have been expected however,
that after very wearing day he fell
asleep In spite of his fears.
With his nerves on the alert, he
reused quickly in the middle of the
night. His wife slept on peacefully
as he opened his eyes and saw, out
lined against the dim light of the
moon penetrating the shutters, a big
| figure stealthily rummaging the bu-
reau drawers.
| 1t had not been Arkley's practise to
| sleep with a revolver under his pill
low, and, out Of regard for his wife,
he had not that night deviated from
his rule. SO he could only lie still for
a moment, pondering the wisest meth
, cd of dealing with the situation,
When he had made up his mind to
spring from bed and trust to good for
tune in frightening away the intruder,
he was surprised by the gentle open
ing of the room door The newcomer
did not make sound He was fully
within the room before the rummaging
rascal suspected
In spite of the mask, Arkley had no
trouble in recognizing the second per.
son as Welton He had supposed till
then that of course the first was his
Inflated guest.
Stimulating sleep, he watched, The
first intruder turned slowly about, and
looked into the barrel of a revolver,
! Neither spoke nor made a sound;
but Welton, with his thumb pointed
over his shoulder, invited the first
burglar to withdraw
Arkley waited until he thought he
heard door close downstairs. Then
he quietly got up, half dressed himself
prepared to explain, if Mrs Arkley
should awake. that he was going down
stairs for drink.
Aiming himself he stopped at Wei
tons door The ex-convict came quick
ly and quietly to open He was fully
dressed.
Did you hear any unusual noises"
Arkley Queried innocently.
Welton nodded.
My partner has been here" he ex
planned. Il was expecting him. He
evidently traced the money Mastersor
had turned over. You can go to sleep
I'll watch the rest of the night"
Arkley felt the anxious tension re
lax az he climbed into bed again. Al
sleep came subtly seeking victim, h,
muttered to himself.
"I'll never be able to look that bur
glar In the face after making his part
ner turn traitor!"