The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-08
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Mine is a political job
"A political iob?" thunderstruck.
Yes, sir; | am an inspector of eel.
lars, ,"-grimly. Il couldn't get around
to this here cellar earlier in tue day,
sir and fellows work must be dohe -
Here was a burglar with the sense
of humor.
What can do for your I asked
blandly.
I Firstly, as they say, you might tell
me what you and this lady are doing
in this lonesome cellar"
Say sir when you address me-"
| Yes, SIR
The lady and I were playing hide
! and-seek."
Nice game sir,"-grinning. Were
YOU trying to hide under the coal?'
"Oh, no; l was merely exploring it. "
Say SIR when you address me-"
! Sir"
You're a cool hand, sir"
'I am gratified to learn that our ad-
miration is mutual. But what are you
doing here?"
! II was ascertaining II the law was
! properly observed, sir" shaking with
| silent laughter.
But what puzzles me-" / went on,
"is the fact that you could gather the
! tive that this was the Galloping Dick
every one was looking for.
Il don't understand word you say,
sir. I'm an inspector of cellars, sir.
not jeweler. So you and the lady
was playing hide-andseek? Come,
now, what is your graft? Is all the
| push here tonight"
That depends, s,''-cursing under my
breath that l wore gown which ham
pered my movements. For. truth to
tell, l was watching him as a cat
watches mouse.
Well, sir, We of the profession
never interferes with gentlemanly
jobs, sir. All want of you is to helr
me out of here"
II am not q burglar
"Oh. understand, sir; understand
completely. A gentleman is always
a gentleman sir. Now, you can re-
turn to that coal bin. L was just about
TO make for it when you lit that can
die
Why not leave by the cellar
doors?"
Il have my reasons, sir; most salts
factory reasons, sir. | prefer the win
dow. Get along!"-his tones suddenly
| hardening
| got along.
The lady may sit down, sir" he
said courteously.
Thank you. | WILL replied the girl,
Pumping down on an empty winecase.
(She afterward confessed that If she
had not sat down on the box, she would
have sat down on the cellar floor, as a
sort of paralysis had seized her knees. }
| stepped into the coal bin and rested
the candle on the little shelf for that
purpose. | was downright anxious to
see the fellow safely away There
wasn't room in that cellar for the
three of us. His presence doubly en-
dangered us and multiplied the COM
plications. | was in no position to
force the gems from him. A man who
! has ten thousand dollars worth of
Jewels on his person doesn't stop at
shooting: and | possessed a healthy
regard for my skin. | opened the win
dow and caught it to the ceiling by q
hook l found there.
There is stout screen, my man"
Take this, sir, and cut it out, -
handing me pair Of wire clippers,
! holding his lantern under his arm
meanwhile. The muzzle of the re-
volver, during all this time, neeer
wavered in its aim at my head.
| went to work at the screen and
presently it fell inward
as that satisfactory? with i'm
pressive irony.
You are the most perfect gentle
man that ever see. sir'"
The sirl LAUGHED Historically.
Now what?' The fun was begin
uins to pail on me-
Step out of the bin and stand aside
Sit down by the lady Maybe she's q
bit frightened"
| obeyed him to the letter.
Thanks" With the agility of Q
cat he leaped up and wriggled through
the window. He turned. Good night.
sir. Sometime maybe I'll do the same
for you, sir
Go to the devil!" l snarled.
MY, my! What a temper, sir! I
wouldn't have thought it of you, and Q
nice lady in speaking distance!"
He disappeared.
The girl laid hand on my arm.
You have acted very sensibly, Mr..
Comstalk. If you had not, it is quite
certain he would have shot YOU"
1t would have been a good thing
for me if he had. He has gone. and
the jewels gone with him. I
hadn't the least chance; the wretchl
He probably came disguised as a
plumber, and nobody suspected him. -
But If he possessed the ten of
hearts, why should he have left this
way?"
Possibly my idea was only an imi.
tation of his. There must have been
at least dozen tens of hearts. My
dear young lady, would give a goo,
deal If you were we'll out of this. I
believed nv Dlan was for tho host opd