The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-27
AN HONORABLE
BURGLAR
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1914, by Associated Lit
erary Press.

shore cottage, but ne Hisseu a.
should have taken the train an hour
later. but a business matter detained
him. The last train down was at
o'clock. He was waiting for IL wnen
he encountered neighbor, VINO sald.
IF l were you I'd run up ana take
a look through the house. Three OF
them on our block have been roppeu
within a week."
Mr.. Glenshaw decided TO 60 lie
would see that the house was all right
and then go to hotel for the night
He wicked up the steps as carelessly
ss II the house had been open, I'M
locked the door and lighted the hall
gas. and the first thing he saw was an
open window. The next was a man
who stood In careless attitude beside
the writing desk with revolver In his
hand. He was not bad or rough
looking man. He had lately been clean
shaved. and a fashionable hat helped
him to look like gentleman. IL he
had been taken by surprise he didn't
betray the fact There was a half
smile on his face as he looked steadily
ut Mr.. Glenshaw, and his voice was
soft and pleasant ms he finally said;
Lets sit down, please We VIII
have to consult together, and | hope
to find you reasonable, sensible man.
I am going to lay this weapon aside
and chat with you on even terms. You
don't look like man who'd do any
thing foolish"
Look here. now" began Mr.. Glen
shaw. with a note of anger In MS
voice; 81 don't quite understand this
thing. You are as cool as If you were
really a robber, or is it some joke put
up by some of the fellows at the clubf
az am COOL" replied the man, be-
cause nerve Is part of my profession.
| am by profession burglar AS 10
the ioke-no. Mr. Glenshaw, this Is
straight goods
''You--you know my nameT
s'Why not? Let me ask you about
that safe. Was it warranted burglar
proofT -
NO"
"That's'better The combination was
SET on two numbers. l had 1t open In
ten minutes. 1t is needless to add that
| was disappointed in the contents
81 can't make out this burglar
business" replied Mr. Gienshaw, with
a troubled look ON his face You are
here to rob my house. Instead Of sit
ting here talking TO you ought to be
hunting for policeman. Do you sup
pose I'm going to tamely submit TO
be pIundered2 Why, hang it. ! ought
to go for you slambangp
'There is a situation here" replied
the burglar. 1T is one for argument
instead Of force. I'm willing to meet
you halfway, and you couldn't ask
anything fairer than that. | have
lot of plumber packed up when you
walk in on me. 1t seems to me that
an honorable compromise is the best
way out of it for both of US
"WeIli'
"Well. suppose we say 5000 for the
plumber? You save at least $500 and
am decently paid for three hours
work"
81 haven't got that much cash.
81 shouldn't object to the cash. but
you can draw me a check for the
amount and certify TO my signature"
"You are not afraid I'll have a de-
tective at the bank to nab your
ssNot in the least You wouldn't
have this thing get out for any 5000.
Besides, you look upon me as an hon
orable man. 1 see check book here
on the desk, and perhaps we'd better
close the deal"
Mr.. Gienshaw sat down and wrote
the check The burglar then wrote the
name of Henry Saunders" across the
back OF it, and Mr.. Glenshaw certified
to the correctness of the signature.
Perfectly safe and correct" said
the burglar as he looked at the paper.
and it will be paid on sight. 1t is an
honorable deal, honorably consummat-
ed, and am ready to go. Just a word.
however, sort OF brotherly word.
Don't spend money trying TO keep bur-
glars out They can beat any sort OF
lock or catch. Better deal squarely
with them. VIII you accompany me
to the front door? ! always prefer to
come and go that way when possible
IL didn't know that burglars were
gentlemen stammered Mr.. Glen
shaw as he rose from his chair.
aNo? Well, all burglars are not
more's the pity. though there is no
good reason for it. have met law
yers and doctors who were not gentle
men. Ours is a gentle profession, and
the Al burglar does nothing TO dis
grace himself. II I were common
thief or robber I should leave by the
back window"
Mr.. Glenshaw followed him down
the han TO the door and stood with him
on the steps for moment before say
ing:
well. you are not such bad lot
after all"
Thank you" replied the burglar
with a bow and smile. "and the com
pliment is returned. Two men OF hon
or and horse sense can always do bust
ness to their mutual advantage"
IL can't really say that | hope we
shall meet again." laughed Mr.. Glen
shaw.
sNo. OF course not. and can't say
III call around occasionally and see