The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-04-30
BY BEN HEIGHT

brain, and certain determination
brought a CLINT into his eyes.
He approached the cottage cau-
tiously. There were obstacles, fear
full obstacles. First, there was the
complete and elaborate system of
burglar alarms which he himself had
had installed against just such inroads.
He had pointed out to his wife that
the valuables with which the cottage
was laden made it a rich field for his
profession. Consequently bringing his
inside information to bear upon the
business, not a window was without
its silver strips, not door without it's
bells and devices He had taken steps
even to insure the basement ap-
breaches against marauders. The
windows on the second floor, the sky
light on the roof, all were equipped
with these satanic devices.
He paused before his home, and
for the seventh time that night he
swore. He racked his mind trying to
remember single vulnerable point he
might have overlooked in his outfit
ting There was none. Were he to
p,y open any window in the house ii
would ring and jangle; any door it
would bark and shrek; any brick, it
would cry out his presence to the
reighborhood and to his wife. Twice
he circled the cottage, gazing upon
all points of ingress, weighing his
chances, and twice he returned to his
starting point, desperate and angered.
The chimney The thought came to
him with q clear, joyouh bounce in his
heart. The chimney had been over
looked. 1t was broad, Santa Claus
chimney, leading into great fireplace
which had not been used for several
weeks. In ten minutes he had gained
the roof. In another he had started
down this inspiration of a chimney
An inconceivable blackness assailed
HILL lllo Cc4o bCSdLhC SlOSSCo, Ilo
eyes laden, his mouth full his hands
heavy with SCOT.
At last, however, his foot touched
bottom He wedged his head out and
stood IN the sitting room of his home,
-d1ipping with ashes and chimney re-
fuse. Brushing himself quickly over
the empty CRATE he tiptoed out of the
room, up stairs and into the corridor
ON which his wife's chamber opened.
lie tried the door. 1t was locked.
| Again his previous caution Knocked
| him. Not a door in the house but
had experienced his cunning lockmans-
ship No two tumbler bolt this, but
an intricate Yale, doubly secured.
For another ten minutes he worked
OIL it with no success. The dawn had
come, and the air was beginning TO
shine with the sun. Casting his eyes
| frenziedly about, he encountered a
glistening object on the floor, key.
He picked it up quickly and recog-
nized it at once.
| 1.-THE careless fool" he murmered
professionally. He fitted it into the
lock, and the door opened noiselessly.
Asleep in the bed lay his wife He
gazed upon her composed features and
fearful hesitation came into his
heart: such a cowardice as he had
never before experienced in his labors.
His tread was panther-like, his eye
furtive and filled with terror. Slowly
he made his way to the wall safe;
slowly and with infinite patience he
turned the knob; listened to the click
of the tumblers. 1t opened. Before
him lay two red leather cases on a
shelf. Opening one of them he ex-
racted a great pearl necklace, a pen
dant of rubies two rings laden with
diamonds, and replaced the case. He
locked the safe, he tiptoed out, he
tiptoed down the stairs after replacing
the key on the floor. Once in the sittin 3
room he drew his first happy breath.
+ He opened the front door with his
key, and great jingling and tumult
filed the house. A moment later he
heard his wife calling, John, john. is
it your"
Eyes darling" he cried back.
An apparation in lace nightclothes
descended the stairway and stood fac
ing him.
"Why, John, look at yourself. Where
have you been. Heavens alive!"
His wife stared at him, her mouth
open, a look of fright and amusement
or her face.
John" she repeated, what has hap
pened?"
Through the caked SCOT he grinned
at her, and pulling from his pocket
a pearl necklace, a pendant of rubies,
handful of rings and trinkets, held
them aloft.
A gurgle of delight came from her.
Your birthday" said John. MY
respects and gifts"
Opening wide her sleepy eyes Mrs.
Heliotrope rushed toward John,
Don't he warned, you'll get all
sooty. I've had hell of time.
Ouick nut them in the safe. Or, no.