The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-08-06
vou were apprehended in the act"

you were apprehended In the act"
The superstition appeared to discon-
cert Creegan, II one might Judge by
the thick burrows in his forehead and
the savage tightening of his lips.
"say, you," he grunted. "Just you
parade the kind of talk l know. Get
that?"
Suppose you get pinched, collared."
Andrew amended TRANQUILITY. "And.
furthermore, let us suppose that the
owner of the jewels was of an old and
honorable family and at this particular
time a nominee for high office. Now,
do you think he would risk scandal by
prosecuting you If it so CHANGED that
you recognized in his wife some n
you had known in very different cir
cumstances. some one named. let US
say. Maggie Flint?"
A silence fell. in which Andrew stood
immobile. impressive, regarding his new
tool with a calm yet piercing scrutiny.
and Creegan rested agape, his widened
eyes fast on the other, striving dumbly
to digest the bewildering fact that the
girl with whom he had wandered fond
~ in the streets of Chicago years be-
fore was become in very truth the mis-
tress of this mansion. At last he shook
his head incredulously.
"No," he muttered, 1T can't be Mag
gie-the wife of that swell guy. VAIN
wright"
"But it isl" Andrew retorted sharp
~, and the words carried conviction.
"Gee! Maggie" he mumbled con-
fusedly. "Well, I'm a son Of a gun"
II am to understand. then," the Mas
ter Mind suggested suavely, that you
know the lady?"
Creegan's dull face lightened instant
~. Something of the bestiality bred
out of evil years fell from him. "
do I? Why, I knew her from way
back. Guess she come from pretty
good stock, though her old man was
down and out when I knew 'em. She
had darn poor pickin's, Maggie had.
Any other skirt with her looks would
have gone to the bad licketty split; but
not her! Worked in factories and then
got a job after her father died as nurse
girl. Kept straighter'n a string all the
time. I got foolish over that kid N.Y.
self. I'd just about made up my mind
to marry her when she was caught
with the goods and sent to stir. Never
could see why she did it. 1t want like
her to steal. I tried to find her when
she come out. but there want nothin'
doin'. And was dippy over her. Gee!"
he concluded sheepishly. "Can you see
me bein' dippy v e a skirtT'
Andrew then said: !
"And, If you should be caught, for a
further defense you might perhaps say
that robbery was not your intent, but
that instead you were here for a meet
ing with the lady-at her request"
Once again Creegan gaped sheer
amazement. Then, swiftly, the light Of
understanding twinkled in his little
eyes,
I'm wise, 'bo-I'm wise!" he chuck
led, with a villainous smirk. "Now.
where do they keep the s%parklers2"
Forthwith Andrew entered into q de-
tailed explanation concerning the plan
Of the house, with particular reference
to the library, In an alcove Of which
the safe was set.
And now" he concluded. "as to the
time tonight when you should start op-
erations, l have only to make a sug-
gestion. This room Of mine, as you
perceive, Is situated in the cupola Of
the house, with windows on each side.
In its way it's a sort Of beacon at
night. The ~lodgekeeper says that when
| put out my light he is sure that every
one else In the house Is sleeping"
Il got ye, Steve-I got vel" Creegan
declared. Then, In another moment
he spoke with a half shamed eager
ness: Say. she didn't send for me.
did she?"
That is a leading question:" was the
answer. with q noncommittal smile.
Il shall put out my light tonight PROD
ably about 2 o'clock"
Yes, yes!' Creegan agreed, hastily.
Il got all that. But about her. nowI
DO you think there's a chance Of her
skippin' out with me? What?"
"A true lover should never be dis.
couraged." came the cryptic reply. As
he spoke. Andrew opened the door,
and motioned that his visitor should
leave the room. IT'LL 2 O'clock" he
said.
Oruo Store liohts.