Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-03-18

The Butler Went Directly to the Safe
In the Wall.
I'll be off to Riodon's saloon to hide
the stuff. Wen have to split the
swag three ways, but we'll pull down
n clear $20OO0 or l don't know our
Uncle ISadore."
"Hurry! I'll follow just as soon as
| can
"Riglt-o! Now, to make it look real
and lifeike, I'll drop out of the win
dow here. I've a pair Of the masters
shoes on, and that'll bunk the bulls
until We can make safe getaway"
He dropped, almost into the hands
Of the two men watching him. But he
was too agile and quick for them. lie
was off like a deer. They gave chase
heartily enough, rather certain that
Captain Radcliffe would miss his haul
II they did not catch this shrewd but
Ter. Hook, by lodging and doubling.
succeeded in eluding them. He had
In mind to hide the jewels and return
some other night for them. He wasn't
anxious to have them fall into the
hands of absolute strangers. That they
were I'm the same deal as himself he
had no doubts.
He drew out his handkerchief to
wrap around the receptacle, and in do
ing so the memorandum book and a
card fell from his pocket Mr.. Hook
was not wholly fortunate in his adj
venture this night AS he scaled the
wall and dropped down the other side
of it he dropped into Bruce's arms.
Bruce had heard the trampling Of feet
and was ready. In the struggle the
coronet fell to the ground. With a
mighty jerk Hook managed to free
himself, and he took to his heels, glad
enough to have some of the booty.
Bruce had keen ear, and during the
struggle he heard something fall I'm.
mediately he began searching, and
finally came upon the coronet. On the
other side of the wall somewhere lurk.
ed his amiable confederate, Captain
Radcliffe. Should he hail him and
make known his find? Indeed no.
There was honor among thieves in
books, but rarely in life. Bruce stole
Off the scene, perfectly satisfied with
his share of the loot.
But Captain Radcliffe found some.
thing. 1t was the card the crooked
butler had dropped during his struggle
with Bruce. Did Captain Radcliffe call
aloud for his friend, Bruce? No. lie
was stirred by the same sense. This
saloon In Ramona avenue was doubt
less some kind OF fence, and he al
once decided to investigate.
On second thought the maid con.
cluded not to fly at present, but to an.
nounce the robbery the moment the
Copclands returned. For awhile at
least they would not suspect her Of
completely. Nor did they. The maid
wept. The butler was evidently guilty.
And she had trusted him. she had
even promised to marry him. He was
thief 1t was all so very well done
that the Copelands believed her I'm.
plictly.
Meantime Bruce wended his way
quickly to house he knew Of. 1t was
rendezvous Of his own not known
by his confederates In the library
over the mantel hung fine pair Of
antlers. These covered n hole in the
brick chimney. and into this hole
Bruce deposited the ruby corOnet. lie
could walt now until the whole affair
had blown over. On one of his Euro.
pean trips he could dispose of 1t for
far more than he could safely get In
America. He was well satisfied with
himself.
The next day Detective Hunt learn.
ed Of the robbery, but MS he had not
yet been approached In regard to It
merely made note of the salient fea-
lures of the case. He busled himself
with several photographs and selected