The spectator., 1920-09-17

or I'll knock your head off." "Yes, sir; very good, sir" The man bent over with his back to Clinton, as if replacing the trousers. When he rose he had Clinton's shoes In his hand. Before the owner could protest, he was at the door. A re spectful explanation drifted back through the opening as the door was drawn shut: Must polish them, sir. You'll find them here in the morning.
 Clinton leapeti out of bed and ran to He raised his hand to knock. and dropped it, probably remembering that the door was deadened. He faced about. On the floor lay the articles that the man had taken from his pock- cts. He went to replace them before the moon could glide down behind the ragged black mass of the mountains and leave him in darkness. Catching up handful of small change, he reached for his trousers. They were not where he had left them. They were neither on nor under the neatly hung coat and waistcoat. It was evident shat the man had snug gled them out under his jacket. Consternation alone saved Clinton from an explosion of his quick temper. It was truly dilemma in which he | found himself. To remain in the sani- | tarium might be to lose all chance of escape; but to leave without trous- nR t,, | jamas with charming young lady whom one does not acknowledge to bt | ones sister is, to say the least, em barrassing
 He put on his remaining clothes l buttoned up taa coat, examined hiS ] appearance in the waning moonlight. and blushed. Considerate of his feel 1 ings. the moon went down, and the l merCiful darkness clOaked him about. In the obscurity, his courage rallied. l So dark night. no one would see. With burglarious stealth he crept to the bed and pulled off the coverlet and sheets. To knot them end to end | was the work of only few moments. l He stole across to the window. low | cred the upper sash, and tied one end | of his line to the two window cords | on one side. He did not open the screen. but stepped down to crouch in | corner and look at his watch by the | light of vesta. It was five to twelve. He had not completed his preparations any too soon.
 As he returned to the window he saw the light of passing automobile. He sprang up on the window-seat and opened the top screen to peer out. The automobile slackened speed and stopped at the first house across the alley from the sanitarium. It seemed to he coupe. At once he swung him. l self out over the window sashes, peered down to make certain that the window below was unlighted. and cautiously began to lower himself from the sill.
 When he put his weight on the sheet line 1t stretched with the tightening Of the knots. but held. He slowly let himself down. hand under hand. Be fore he came to the lower end. his stockinged feet touched the ground.
 
 blot under the overshadowing tree. The outlines of a coupe became dimly visible. then the white form of an out | peering face.
 All aboard" he whispered, slipping | into the seat beside the excited girl.
 The coupe glided out of the gutter and started up the street at quickly accelerated speed. As they swept across the lighted intersection Clin- ton crouched forward with his hands on his knees. Amy did not observe the embarrassed movement. She was peering ahead into the darkness be- yond the intersection. She ran the next block. swerved around the cor ner, and turned on the coupe lights.
 You're little trump" he ex- claimed.
 That's nice of you, you poor dear boy! Isn't 1t fun2 Isn't It romantic? |? was shivering with fear that they might pop out and Lean back till we pass the crossing" | Involuntarily he obeyed. She glanced at him to make sure, and perceived his costume.
 "Oh" she gasped-- "Ohl Didn't you have timer Where are your trousersf"
 "I-no-that--" he s.ammered- "that confounded attendant stole them."
 "Stole?"
 Claimed the rules required him to take my clothes to be pressed"
 "SO that was iti That must be one way they keep patients from running ofr. But it didn't stop you, you brave boyw
 Amy burst into . gurgle of irrepres- sible mrth.
 See here" he admonished. "Even l if am"
 Indeed no, nut even If you are my brother. I mustn't see. It's-it's real ly too sh-shocking!" This time she startled the silence of midnight with