Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-03

he demanded at last. you seem to take
everything 1 say as n joke"
She repressed a little bubble OF laugh
ter. That's the spirit It's meant in,
isn't it2'
lie was too irritated to be patient
Toward evening he essayed TO be seri-
Gus again; again. she lightly evaded his
advances,
Late In the day when walking past the
doors OF the library. he saw Holmes
finishing a conference with Rhinelander,
once more roll up an important docu-
ment and place It within his safe set
inside the library wall. Seagrue knew
too well what II was--the survey OF the
cutoff. the building OF which by Grip
pling him financially, was likely to
wrecS his hopes OF a successful career.
1t was In this sullen mood that Capelle
few moments later encountered him.
They had been partners in more than
one INSCRIPTIONS enterprise and had
learned TO set value on audacity.. A
guarded discussion followed. seagrue
moodily rejected one after another OF
the suggestions OF the resourceful Capele
until one startled him into anger. lie
baked incontinently. Il won't stand for
safe-blowing," he muttered.
Nothing of the kind suggested" re-
turned Capelle, undaunted. And with the
whining smile that marked his face In
argument he continued; "I'll have two
good men here by 1880 tonight. II you
say the word. One OF them can open a
safe by the mere click OF the tumblers
All we want out of II is a copy of the
cutoff survey. II we can get hold OF
that we can get hold OF their rlght-of-
way-most OF II must come from Wash
ington-before Holmes knows what's go
ing on. Til make the copy OF their sur
vey myself and return the original to
the safe before morning with no one
bit the wiser. Why, see herel You're
staying right In the house. All you have
to do Is to let them in tonight. Are
you gamer OR are you whipped dog
right nowl'
Seagrue listened with set face. The
low-toned conference lasted longer. AT
it's close the two separated Shortly
afterward Capelle. in seagrue's motor
car. started rapidly for the city.
AT nearly ~ o'clock that nisht-some
time after the house was quiet-Seagrue,
library. He unlocked the terrace doors.
capeile's men were outside. They entered
and Seagrue left them bofere the safe.
The criminal expert OF the pair made
hardly more than protense of dropping
the tumblors for an opening4 He had
come prepared for any eventuality and
the moment he saw the mechanism OF the
lock was unassaIlable. he directed his
companion. Hyde. to connect up the drills;
his orders from capeile were 20 open the
safe.
Upstairs. Helen. in slumber. was half
awakened by 9 whistle signal, storm was
bringing a freight train down the hill 20
wait for the midnight flyer. The rumble
OF passing trains rarely disturbed her
This night a much slighter but an un-
usual sound woke her completely. She
sat up a moment listening. II seemed
close-someone was I'm the house. Turn
ms on light and dressing hastily. Helen
opened the hall door Of her room.
She had been careful not 10 make the
slightest noise In her movements. I'm
fortunately the light behind her sill
houetted her figure on the floor at the
foot OF the broad flight OF stairs. Spike
keen-eyed. in the library. saw IT, He
touched Hyde. "Douse it.'' he muttered
Hyde extinguished the light. The two
paused listened. walked into the hall and
paused again. Then they started noise
lessly up the stairs.
Guarded as they had been. Helen felt
their presence. With fast beating heart
she ran to her window. Out In the night
she could see the Hight OF a torch. II was
Storms hght carried as he worked
around his engine. Catching up small
serving bell she ran out ON her balcony
and tying the bell 70 TIE telephone wire
that connected with the main wires, she