The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-06

ZZZZZZZZEZZZZZ
to protest, Lanyard thrust her forcibly
through the windows. closed them.
shot the latch and stole like a ghost
round the farther siGe of the desk,
pausing within a few feet of the screen
and safe.
The footsteps were muffled by rug
in the drawing room-the woman was
walking slowly. heavily, like one
weary and thoughtful.
Where the girl had placed it, behind
the cinnabar screen, the desk-lamp was
still alight, and Lanyard knew that the
diffusion of its reflected rays was
enough to project his figure in si1hcu-
cite against the glow distinctly visible
to one on the threshold.
Now everything hung upon the tenn
permanent of the householder, how she
would take that pparition-whether
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
would carry the adventurer across it 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 hand, she found the chan
delier switch and turned on a 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 a 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 oEnnously 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 trembIed visibly
"Welli"-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 a great deal!"
Lanyard gripped the edge OF the
desk, quivering
For Gods sake, madame" he blurt-
ed in q husky, shaken voice, nothing
like his own-"don't have me arrest
ed! Give me chancei 1 haven't
taken anything. Don't call the flies"
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. 81 haven't
called anyone-as yet"
The fingers Of one strong white hand
were drumming gently on the top OF
the desk; then, with a movement SO
quick and sure that Lanyard himself
could hardly have bettered it, they
, slipped to handle of drawer, jerked
it open, closed round the butt of a re-
r volver and presented it at Lanyard
head
Automatically he lifted his hands
Don't shoot" he cried. I'm not
armed
ETC
you've only to search me, ma
. daniel"
: Thanks" Madame's accents now
? discovered trace of somewhat dry
humor. I'll leave that to you Turn
3 out your pockets on the desk there
r and remember. I'll stand no non
: sense,"
The weapon covered Lanyard stead
D lily, leaving him no alternative but tC
obey. AS for that, he was glad of the
: excuse to listen for any sound to indi
cate how the girl was faring in hel
flight. And he made a pretense Of
q trembling fingers to cover the sloWness
e with which he complied.
e But he heard nothing.
When at length he had visibly turned
a every pocket inside out, and their con
T tents lay upon the desk. the woman
d looked them over incuriously.
e Put them back" she said CURLY
'sAnd then fetch that chair over there
= the one in the corner. I've notion
y I'd like to talk to you. That's the usua
l. thing. isn't it"
e ~How?" Lanyard demanded with I
:, vacant stare.
9 In all the criminal novels I've eve
/ read. the law-abiding householder al
ways sits down and has a sociable cha
|. with the before calm,
in the police. I'm afraid that's part O
s the price you've to pay for my hospital
2 ity."
e She paused, cycling Lanyard inquis
It itively while he replaced his belong
D ings in his pockets. "Now get tina
t. chair" she ordered. and waited. stand
y ing until she had been obeyed. That
= ft-there! Sit down.
Resting herself against the side o
a the desk. the revolver held sleg1izeufi,g