South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-24

| scended the stairs without my hear
ing the footstep opened the outer
door and had admitted a second
person
HAT HAPPEN ED VII r y
MADGE, DICKY, AND THE
COSGROVE'S SURPRISED
MRS. AI4LIS-
I reluctantly admit that my knees
were shaking under me as 1 stood
hidden behind a curtain ~ the hall
OF the old Cosgrove farmhouse at
o'clock in the morning and heard
the door opened BY Mrs Allis to
admit the man who was to aid her
IN stealing the valuabls collection
Of pictures in the parlor.
was afraid that she might make
some search for hidden watchers
before beginning her nefarious
work, and the thought made me
tremble with terror.
But evidently Mrs. Cosgrove had
been doing some clever work I'm the
afternoon, for the first audible words
from Mrs. Allis's lips showed that
she imagined that the coast was en-
tirely clear.
Have you the things" she de-
manded in a low tone, "the flash
light. the waterproof wrappings for
the canvass, and the knives2"
"All set" the man returned LOGON
licaIly. Are you sure everything is
safe here?"
Absolutely" Mrs. Allis replied.
Where's that artists wife you
thought was spying on your" the
man persisted.
II told you everything was safe, >"
she replied impatiently. THE art
list and his wife are shivering in the
Jail. reported them for violating
the game laws. and they were ar
rested and taken away this after
noon"
But are these people boobs
enough to leave these pictures un-
protected now they know the value
Of them2"
10 you think I'd be fool enough
to try this thing tonight II hadn't
everything f1xed?" Mrs. Allis de-
handed savagely. The Cosgroves go
about this stuff, and that there's
mighty little danger OF anyone learn
ling about It. They are not even
sleeping IN the house Mrs. Cos
grove asked me to be sure that the
front door was locked II stayed up
after the rest OF them went 10 bed in
their bungalow. so just as soon as
YOU get these things shipped out, I'm
going to lock the door and creep up
to bed. where Til he the most sur
prised and shocked party you can
imagine I'm the morning"
Now. IL I've answered all your
questions satisfactorily" with a note
OF deep sarcasm I'm her voice, sup
pose we can the chatter and get 20
work"
Mrs Cosgrove always pulls the
curtains clear down 10 the sill, so
it will be perfectly safe for US 10
use the flashlights"
They went into the parlOr and
noiselessly slipping out OF my hiding
place 7 followed as near as dared.
III knew that Diciy and Mr.. Cos
grove must by this time have IN
done the hook in the inside OF the
clothes press. which they had so
WHAT \ BRAVE ARRAY!r..
The supreme moment for which !
had been waiting all week seemed
Ito be at hand. and my whole body
was thrilling with mingled excite
ment and terror.
Then there came a glow illuminat-
ing one Of the pictures that came
from the electric held steadily in the
hands Of Mrs AIlis. BY its light
saw the man whom we had over
heard talking with Mrs. Allis in the
woods reaching up TO the picture 10
take it down preparatory 20 cutting
the canvas from the frame.
Both the backs OF Mrs. Allis and
: he man were toward me- For an
interminable minute wondered
Why Dicky and Mr.. Cosgrove did not
; act-then the light from two flash
lights swept the room. and Dicky's
voice called out, authoritatively:
Hands up. you two"
do not think Mrs Allis moved
a muscle at the command. which
70 my mind was enough 20 shake
the nerves OF any woman From
the lips OF the man beside her came
low snarl without even turning
J around his hands rose above his
head with the precision OF a ma
chine
A. his hands rose in the air Mrs
AUis murmured something 70 him
which he could not catch. and then
, turned majes,ically 20 confront the
leveled revolvers held by Dicky and
Mr. CosErove.
500" she drawled insoleHtly
to Dicky. with a half-smile twistlns
, her lips Why don't you shoot on