The Washington herald., 1916-04-09

bit afraid, but I think hen soon come 10 the
point where he'll feel that he'd Just as soon ret
rid Of me as have me stay"
30 II was arranged That afternoon Mona
hso scene with Reynolds And that pigbt
when he, old Reynolds retired 70 his own room
ne old not undress, but waited He had a plan
In his evil old mind. She had told him she meant
to read rather late; he sat waiting for her 70
come upstairs.
But Mona did little reading As soon ss all
was quiet, she disconnected the burglar alarm
system so far as she could, cutting some wires.
disarrsng1ng others. She also, on a sudden i'm
pulse cut the telephone wires. Then she went
upstairs. As she passed Reynolds door she saw
that II was oPen-and that he himself fully
dressed, was doing in chair. She started al
this sight; then smiled. And in her own room.
she listened breathlessly. She heard an auto
come up in the road and stop 9 little di-sano.
away. And then, taking a revolver abe crept
downstairs. Reynolds still dozed he had not
heard her come upl
Downstairs, Mona waited, tensely pistol IN
hand. She heard window raised and a minute
later she slipped into the library. There was a
kneelng figure before the safe, and with lo~
laugh Mona called 70 him: Hands up!"
stallings swung around in dismay. At the
sight Of Mona and her pistol his jaw dropped;
his hands went up.
You're a fool I" said Mona, holding her pi.-
tol steady. my safes burglar proof-you'd have
wasted your time even il hadn't caught you =
stallings said nothing But suddenly he
Mona remembered-It was the signal. She
hoped that Mary had already carried out their
plan. And now she picked up the telephone, a. II
to call the police Suddenly she laid IL down
II don't know that want TO have YOU sent
TO prison" she said. "If that safe be broken,
/ don't want it In my house. I'll let you 20 II
you can open it-but work, quietly and don't
wake the servants"
Easy" said Stallings, confidently SVhy
it's nothing but cigar box"
He was as good as his word In less than
three minutes the safe was open-he had worked
on the combination alone, his Practiced ears
catching the click of the tumblers.
We'll !" said Mona. I'm surprised! I'll have
to take that stuff upstairs to my roOm-emPty
the safe, please"
stallings obeyed and his eyes lighted up at
the sight Of q dozen 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 swskened-he was coming
down! She wheeled around, and StalHngs seized
his chance TO pocket the letters. He would keep
faith with Mary!
The next moment Reynolds came in-to hpd
his housekeePer covering burglar with her
revolver
Get up" said Mona. sharply. to stsIIinsz-
She had seen him take the letters, but pretended
that she had not.
As he got up he made a sudden lunge for
her, and seized the hand that held the revolver.
Reynolds, a coward revealed now, cried out in
terror, and crouched against the wall And
while they struggled, Mona managed TO whisper
to Stallings.
I'm with you-Tn let you make your get
away"
He yielded at once.
Telephone the police!- - cried Mona TO R<y-
nOlds. 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, Stallings slipped
through the window and fed.
"Oh, let him go!" cried Mona. He didn't get
anything-see, all the jewels arc there! I saved
them for you"
You're the brsvest woman 1 ever knew~
croaked Reynolds.
~Let see If they're all here"
He examined the jewels; then Strengthened
a reward"
He held up the necklace he had shown her
before, and tiara of equal value. Mona hest
L.-A 4