Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-11-14

ing. long. lean hand reached into the
patch OF moonlight, and finger tickled
WalllngfOrd's ear. a snort and the big
sleeper turned over. Another tickle. A
gurgilng grunt and flop
Wallingford, slowly awakening, became
aware that someone was whispering I'm
his ear.
'Jlml Shore. you fool. snorel Jiml
Snorei Hush Llstenl Keep on snoring,
tell you Jimi There's a burglar in the
library. snorel That's right Now listen"
and Blackie like tall. lean. gaunt ghost
IN his pyjamas, carefully detailed his In
structions.
Shorty Tucker. working industriously
at the safe In the library. whirled sud
denly and picked up his gun, and. with an
unerring. instinct tor the direction OF
sound. covered the large gentleman who
had appeared In the library door.
''Holler and I'll bore youl" Kissed Shorty
Tucker. pointing his revolver straight into
Wallingford's scared eye. Hands up"
IAN right" agreed wallingford hastily.
and stuck both plump palms straight up.
II haven't a holler In me-
"You letter not" warned Shorty. This
trigger-Huhl"
That huh" was jerked out OF Shorty
|
behind and snatched the gun from his
right hand. while another long, lean arm
wrapped Itself in n vice-llke grasp around
| shortys thick neck.
]. Rufus flashed up the library lights,
and grinned at the spectacle OF the thick
burglar being bent irresistibly back into
a library chair.
"Wen." husked the burglar sullsily. estl-
mating that his chances of a fight were
worse than useless. with his own revolver
In possession OF the enemy. What are
you going to do about itf''
Turn you up" replied Wallingford.
Let's give him an even break"
Biackie's restless eyes had rested on n
deck OF cards. and he picked them up
with a sudden whimsical idea. Criminal.
I'll play you one hand of freexe-out to
soc whether you go on your useful way
or wear handcuffs." and. sitting down
opposite Shorty, he rapidly dealt five
cards apiece Get some highball ice,
Jim"
! '.All risnt." walllngford. sleep return
ing heavily to him. walked numbly out
into the dining room, and Blaekie's
amused eyes followed his stumbling
course. In that instant. Shorty Tucker.
his freedom at stake. took furtive glance
at the top card OF the deck. His broad
face frightened as he saw the card, and
he hastily switched II into his own hand.
dropping his discard into a tall ash Jar.
Cards" said Blackie Driskly. picking
up the deck.
''One.i'
You're too conservative" Blackle cast
shrewd glance at his opponent. Now,
me. Ill take all this hand will stand;
and II improve II. culprit. I'll try to get
you a cell on the sunny SIDE" and he
6ealt himself two cards.
There was a moment OF silence. then
shorty cleared, his throat.
ira like to make little side bet" he
offered. and dug into his pocket. He
produced sSS cents.
Raise you ti.65." accepted Blackis
opening the drawer OF the table and
throwing down $40 BILL grinning as he
saw shorty's regretful eyes glued ON thai
, drawer.
I'm all In" shorty looked at his hand
. sorrowfully. That's 20 gun"
Raise me the differencef' and Blackie
extracting the cartridges. laid II on tbs
money. I'm see that with this silvel
, meersehaum pipe"
A ring came off shorty's finger
Biackie produced stick pin. and the HI
a OF burglars tools went up. Biacki
a threw off his pajama Jacket. and Short
e tossed down his coat and vest.
!. "Can you" he husked. II got TO kee
c my pants. LOOK at thesei" and witt
< triumph he tossed down four Jacks an
G deuce.
!, Laughing giefully. he reached forwar
n to SCOOP IN the assorted stakes and III
a freedom. but Blackie. holding out
e restraining hand, calmly spread dow
a four aces and n nine spot.
. IAN over. jim" no called nonehalantl.
q as J. Rufus came into the room wit
: lice"
: law say'' shorty Tucker was n
: picture OF abject humiliation.
: II there's anything l can do for 70
= guys. you just call on shorty Tucker"
" Sorry sport. but we don't want an
Or burgiaring done. de we. JIM"
a mot tonight" ehuekled Wellington
s, ITS a crude. undignified method OF a
rs ouiring a profit on your energy. and
ne Suddenly the smile left Wallingford
a lace. lie stopped and thought a momer
n then his round. pink ooantenance beRm'
OF with joviahty. by George we have
job for shortly" He walked over 20 Il
ms table. OPENED the drawer from viii
az Black,e had extracted the loose none
.e- paved around for little memoranda
book. tore OUT leaf and tossed Il ov
''o 10 the worker OF the night do y
suppose you could set US this gentleman
: private papersf"
~ shorty Tucker picked up the piece
=. paper and looked at It. II contained I
- home address Of Monsieur Perigordl
~ Monsieur Pcftsord was deeply regreti
that the beautiful Miss Wardel
M, lAvsader creation hAd been 70 sEtensiv.
copied 1T d becknss Maderaolsello
II /" so strikins-so attraetivet" he suav,
expizined. Those clever American mar
nd faeturers have their designers evei
IN where.
pr 80 that's the way ia done" mu.