River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-04-06
Good night.

The maid moved of toward the main
staircase, while the mistress Of the
house turned deliberately through the
salon toward the library.
At this, swinging back to the girl in
a stride, and impulsively grasping her
wrist to compel attention, Lanyard
spoke in a rapid whisper, mouth close
beside her cheek.
"This way" he said, imperatively
drawing her toward the window by
which he had entered. There's bal
cony outside-a short drop to the
ground" And unlatching the window,
he urged her through it. "Try to leave
by the back gateway-the one
showed you-avoiding Ekstrom-"
"But you are coming!" she insisted,
hanging back.
Impossible. There isn't time for us
both to escape undetected. I shall keep
her interested only long enough to give
you plenty Of time to get away. But
take this"-and he pressed his auto
matte into her hand. "No-take it.
I've another" he lied, "and you may
need it. Don't fear for me, but go
oh, my heart-go!"
The footballs of Nine. Omber were
sounding ominOusly near by this time;
and without giving the girl more time
to protest, Lanyard thrust her forcibly
through the windows, closed them,
shot the latch and stole like ghost
round the farther side of the desk,
pausing within few feet Of the screen
and safe.
The footsteps were muff1ed by rug
in the drawing room-the woman was
walking slowly, heavily, like one
weary and thoughtful.
Where the girl had placed 1t, behind
the cinnabar screen, the desk-lamp was
still alight, and Lanyard knew that the
diffusion OF it's reflected rays was
enough to project his figure in silhou-
cite against the glow distinctly visible
to one on the threshold.
Now everything hung upon the tenn
Derament Of the householder, how she
would take that Observation-Disclosures
quietly, deceived by Lanyard's mum
ming into believing she had only a
poor thievish fool to deal with, or with
bourgeoise hysteria.
In the latter event, Lanyard's hand
was ready planted, palm down, on the
top Of the desk; should the other at
tempt to raise an alarm, single bound
would carry the adventurer across 1t in
full flight for the front doors.
In the doorway the mistress Of the
house appeared and halted, quick,
glinting eyes shifting from the glow
on the floor to the dark figure of the
thief. Then, with quick gesture, put
ting forth a hand, she found the chan
delier switch and turned on blaze
OF light.
AS this happened Lanyard covered,
lifting an elbow as if to guard his face
as If expecting to find himself under
the muzzle Of a revolver
The gesture had the calculated eff
feet Of focusing the attention of the
woman directly to him, after one swift
glance round had taken in the curtains
that were still swaying at the window,
and shown her room tenanted only
by herself and cringing thief. And
Immediately it was made manifest that,
| whether or not deceived, she meant
to take the situation quietly, if with a
strong hand.
Her eyes narrowed and the muscles
Of her square and almost masculine
jaw stood out ominously as she looked
the intruder up and down in silence.
Eventually flicker of contempt mod
Grated the grimness of her dark coun-
tenance. She took three steps for
ward, stopping on the other side Of the
desk, her back to the doorway.
LANYARD trembled visibly.
'Weil!"-the word doomed like the
opening gun of an engagement. well,
my man!"--the shrewd eyes swerved
to the closed door Of the safe and
quickly -again-"you don't seem
to have accomplished great dealt"
Lanyard gripped the edge Of the
desk, quivering.
For Gods sake, madame" he blurt-
ed in husky, shaken voice, nothing
like his own-"dont have me arrest
ed! Give me a chance! / haven't
taken anything. Don't call the fiics!"
He paused, lifting an uncertain hand
toward his throat, as if his tongue had
gone dry.
Come, GOMEZ" the woman answered,
with look almost of pity. Il haven't
called anyone-as yet"
The fingers of one strong white hand
were drumming gently on the top of
the desk; then, with movement SO
quick and sure that Lanyard himself
could hardly have bettered 1t, they
slipped to handle of drawer, jerked
it open, closed round the butt Of a re
volver and presented it at Lanyard S
head.