The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-15
By Hop

there was sudden snorting whir and
 sharp little explosion, as the car shot forward and rolled down the drive to- ward the house. In the protection of the
 shrubbery, Smiling Sam groaned out a string of oaths
 Double crossed. So that was their game. Well he'd show them. He took handfuls of sandwiches from the basket
 and stuffed them into his greasy trousers pockets, kicked the basket outside the grounds and started for the back of the l house. Then, step by step, he crept to- ward long open window, from which a. l yellow band of light streamed out across | the lawn.
 I Having reached it. he tried to stifle his | rapid breathing Inside there was a clink | of china and tableware.
 ] He saw Yama pick up small carving | set and open a shallow drawer in the | buffet But before the little Jap had a chance to put the knife and fork away, June called to him from the hall. Instantaneously obedient, Yama dropped the implements on the table and started | for the door, where he collided with June ] as she ran in swathed in cniPron veils and motor coat
 l "Oh, there you are!'' She smiled at his | evident embarrassment. Yama, here s | the key of my large trunk-the one with ., ! full we can't close it. Will you close | and lock it after we've gone? The bag | gageman will be here soon.' | "Of a certain, Miss June,'' assented the grave little man.
 .oThanR you. Now will you come out
 and tuck us in the car? There's no one | who can fix an automobile robe as snugly as you can, Yama. Somenow or other i it always stays put.
 | F'lattened against the house, Sam heard Mrs. Travis give final instructions about locking up the place. Then June's musical l young voice called out:
 l Don't forget to give the expressman
 the right address, Yama."
 | A dull rage burned in Eagan's heart; l the malignant, virulent rage or the duped | crook who has never before doubted his l own craft. Braving the light, the possi- 1 bility of capture -everything-he stepped , boldly through the open window and 1 walked to the center of the room. His
 hand closed on the ugly knife lying on
 the table, with savageness tnar was
 foreign to his usual suave methods.
 Overhead-he heard the floor respond al i most imperceptibly to Yama's light steps.
 That must be the room the trunks were
 in. he decided. He bent down and crept
 along the floor, so that his body could
 not be seen from the outside. 1 Once in the darkened hall, he stood
 erect and felt his way to the stairs. They ! CreaK6d 1alnLly ttnueI HIS puihy WCA6ht too faintly to attract attention. In the
 upper corridor half-opened door showed
 lighted room.
 1 Yama. his back toward the door, was
 trying to persuade a bulging trunk that
 his slight weight was sufficient to end 1 the argument Smiling Sam slowly and silently opened the door. Intent upon
 the stubborn job before him, Yama heard
 nothing-sensed nothing.
 1 Sam stood over him, brandishing the
 knife, snarling, swearing, threatening.
 The delirious fright of the little man be- I fore him fired his blood.
 ."Take the trays out of that trunk and dump the things in that closet over ! there' he commanded.
 l You're going to lock me in, ship me 1 to the city as baggage and keep your 1 gab muzzled. If you breathe a word, to anybody, ,"-here Sam drew an aeroplanio | road map with his knife-'Ill run this ! little lawn mower down your throat, cut out your vocal cords and string 'em on I my zither! Get me? Now lock me in! I. The ashen, shaken Jap clicked the Key l in the lock and adjusted the straps. Downstairs, he heard the baggageman | tramp up on the back porch and Knock | loudly on the door.
 ! Yama led the two men back into the | room and showed them the trunks. | Between them they hoisted the trunk containing Smiling Sam" and carried 1t l downstairs.
 | (Continued in Tomorrow's Age-Herald.)