The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-14

bit afraid but think he'll soon come to ths point where he'll feel that he'd just gel rld of lie as have me stay"
 So 1t was arranged. That afternoon Mona had scene with Reynolds. And that night, when he, old Reynolds. retired to his room, he did not undress, but waited. He had plan In his evil old mind. She had told him she meant to read rather late he sat waiting for her to come upstairs
 But Mona did little reading. As soon as all was quiet, she disconnected the burglar alarm system so far she could. cutting some wires, disarranging others She also, on d sudden i'm pulse cut the telephone wires. Then she went upstairs As she passed Reynolds door she that 1t was open-and that he himself fully dressed, was dozing in chair. She started at this sight; then smiled. And, in her own room, she listened breathlessly. She heard an auto come up in the road and step little distance away And then, taking q revolver, she crept downstairs. Reynolds still dozed; he had not heard her come up
 Downstairs, Mona waited. tensely. pistol in hand. She heard window raised, and minute later she slipped into the library. There was kneeling figure before the safe, and with low laugh Mona called to him Hands up'
 Stallngs swung around in dismay. At the sight of Mona and her pistol his jaw dropped; his hands went up
 You're fool !' said Mona holding her pis- tol steady. My safes burglar proof-you'd have wasted your time if I hadn't caught you :"
 Stallngs said nothing. But suddenly he dropped one hand and sounded shrill whistle.
 Mona remembered-It was the signal. She hoped that Mary had already carried out their plan. And now she picked up the telephone, as if to call the police Suddenly she laid it down.
 q don't know that want to have you sent to prison" she said. eff that safe be broken, l don't want it in my house. I'll let you go if you can open it-but work quietly and don't wake the servants"
 "Easyl" said stallings, confidently. "why, it's nothing but cigar box"
 He was as good as his word In less than U---he <ed on the combination alone, his practiced ears catching the click of the tumblers.
 ''Wel!' said Mona. I'm surprised. I'll have to take that stuff upstairs to my room-empty the safe, please"
 Stallngs obeyed and his eyes lighted up at the sight of dozen or more packages of letters. He had given up hope of the jewels and he piled everything neatly together. And then, as she watched him, tensely, Mona heard step on the stairs Reynolds had awakened-he was coming down She wheeled around, and Stallngs seized his chance to pocket the letters. He would keep faith with Mary.
 The next moment Reynolds came into find his housekeeper covering burglar with her revolver.
 Get up." said Mona, sharply, to stallings She had seen him take the letters, but pretended that she had not
 As he got up he made sudden lunge for her, and seized the hand that held the revolver. Reynolds, coward revealed now, cried out in terror, and crouched against the wall. And while they struggled Mona managed to whisper 
 Pm with you-Tll let you make your get away!"
 He yielded at once.
 % Telephone the police!" cried Mona, to Key holds. He made for the instrument and then stopped. As Mona had guessed, he dared not, with his record call in the police. And the next moment, at signal from Mona, Stalngs slipped through the window and fled
 "Oh, let him go!" cried Mona. He didn't get anything-see. all the jewels there I saved them for you!'
 You're the bravest woman I ever knewr croaked Reynolds
 Let me if they're all here"
 He examined the jewels; then strengthened up "Yes-all here," he said. sHere-take these rewardv'
 He held up the necklace he had shown her before, and tiara of equal value. Mona hesi-