Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1918-06-23

being as well worth his attention a
any Of the Atherton things. he hardly
listened. but hurried the ladies out
Of the ONCE"
"was nothing else said about the
watch1" asked Christopher.
Mr.. Coliingwood promised to have
Q look at II later"
Race waited for no more, but got
out Of the once a. quickly a. he
could with decency. and dashed OF in
the direction he had been told to take.
He had little difficulty In finding the
place.
Christopher took Scarlet Runner in.
past the lodge. where there was still
no sign of life. and up q slightly as
cending avenue that turned and
twisted under Q tunnel-like arch Of
branches.
Still the avenue wound on. but half
a mile. perhaps. beyond the stone
gate-posts and the dark lodge a turn
in the drive brought the tunnel Of
trees to an end. With a sudden bump
Scarlet Runners front tires struck
some tense yet curiously yielding OBJ
stacle.
The obstruction. whatever II might
be. was mysteriously invisible. but in
moment Christopher had stumbled
over a thick wire tightly stretched
across the drive at height Of twelve
or fifteen inches above the ground.
there's something very queer
here" he said In low voice. "Wait
bit and I'll reconnoItre."
The chauffeur kept his place, and
Christopher took the electric torch
from under the front seat Armed
with this he stepped over the wire.
and discovered In the fresh mud clear
traces Of q motor-car's pneumatics.
They passed beyond the obstacle and
disappeared behind a curtain Of dark
ness, making 1t evident that the wire
had been stretched since the Colling-
woods had gone by-either driving to
the house or leaving 1t.
Telling the chauffeur to stand by
Scarlet Runner, unless called. Chris
TOPPER began to climb a slight emil
nence, the wind and rain in his
face. as his feet squashed through
the soaked, spongy grass. Mounting
to the top, he came into full sight Of
the house, above the shrubbery and
some low-growing trees. At the ex-
treme western end was row Of three
lighted, diamond-paned windows on
the ground floor. The room within
was hidden by semi-transparent green
curtains: but Christopher guessed
that 1t was the dlning-room. and that
the family were still lingering at the
dinner-table. Then, he saw in a win
dow at the east end Of the house a
light suddenly flash up, disappear.
and flash again. All the other win
dows In that wing were black as this
one had been a moment ago.
Instantly Race extinguished his
electric torch and, abandoning his
quest Of the front door, ran towards
the window. AS Christopher noise
lessly approached the lighted panes
he suddenly saw. as in a vision, what
was passing on the other side.
A man, with a small, why figure,
and half-mask Of Grape or some
black material hiding the upper part
Of his face. was uptOeing. catlike,
about the room, guiding his move
ments by means Of a dark lantern. He
placed on the floor by the dressing
table a partIy-filled bag Of plumber.
already secured, before moving to-
wards the door leading out to the
corridor. Here he suffered a disap-
pOintment. Flashing his lantern up
and down the oak, he found no bolt.
no key In the lock. For a second he
hesitated; but there was a litter Of
jeweled gold brushes and bottles.
Having flashed a ray Of light over
the tempting display on the table.
he advanced to the window and softly
opened 1t, that his way Of escape
might be ready II needed.
TIL let him gather up the spoil and
then, as he comes out. I'll nab him
and yell to my chauffeur" thought
Christopher.
For a brief moment he had forgot
tch thC ~NoAchhOcA6 "utS1s oh0 Ill thO
conflicting interests entangled round
1t; but as the long beam Of light once
more lit up the dressing-table he had
the best of reasons for remembering
II again. There 1t lay, plainly visible.
as the dark, moving arm advanced to
push the crowding gold toilet things
aside. The lean hand grabbed 1t up,
and as 1t withdrew into shadow the
unlocked door suddenly opened.
Framed in a square Of dim light from
the corridor stood Nora Collingwood,
a Pickering candle In her hand.
With a shrek Of fear and surprise
she started back. then, recovering her.
self, bravely rushed forward to save
her treasures. Out went the light Of
the dark lantern, and with one spring
the burglar made for the window,
swooping swiftly as he went, to pick
up the bag at his feet.
Then the lean figure dashed through
the window into Christopher's arms.
In the shock of surprise the escaping
thief recoiled, snatching out q re-
volver; and Christopher, selling him
with q bulldog grip by coat-collar
and leather belt, caught him OF his