The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-09-19
POLICEMEN
TOOK A CHANCE
Ely MARY }. ). wRINN

but 1t was on the first floor One good
step from the iron rail fence below
would make my windows easily. Ny
landlady assured me that two police
men were stationed on the corner OPP
posite and that she herself occupied
the adjoining front room. An elderly
doctor lived in the back parlOr on the
other side. Surely that would be pro
lection enoughl
See" she had said, leading me to
the window, zone policeman walks up
and down the avenue while the other
takes care of st. Johns place. Almost
everybody is in the country at this
time of year of course"
Following the gesture of her broad
palm could see that the brown stone
fronts on st. Johns place were board.
ed. took the room. AS she had stated,
the uniformed enforcers of the law
tramped their beat far out of sight,
each at regular intervals reporting at
the red box on the corner.
Nevertheless / rarely slept we'll
The slightest sound and | was awake
listening. | had entertained q party
of friends during the evening and be-
cause tne party was late In breaking
up l had persuaded Sally Graves to
stay all night with me-
The house and the outside world
had long since settled into silence
when' all at once, became conscious
OF voices under my window.
On, is that where she liyesY
Yes, how about it?'
They were mems voices conversing
in guarded undertone.
.'She's away?" continued the first.
"Yes"
A moments silence. | held my
breath, petrified.
you're sure windows open?"
Dead sure" Then followed hur-
ried exchange of indistinct words.
"WelI, if we're going to do it. let's
do it now. It'll be getting light soon"
bounded out of bed to the window.
Through the darkness | could distin-
guish two figures stealing toward the
opposite side of the street.
whats the matter?" came sleepily
from the couch.
I told Sally what had heard.
"Let's call the doctor" she said.
making for the door
Better wait awhile" advised
81 won't stay in this house another
minute" was her renIv. She started
to dress. while | stood at the window
watching. numb with fear. But Sally
was a creature of action.
."Let's close the window" she adj
yised. We nuIled down three and
bolted them but with all our COM
bined strength we couldn't bulge the
fourth.
'If the policemen would only come
along!" / said.
They're never around when you
want Them" snapped Sally. What
are you going to do-stand there I'M
til those crooks get back? Where's
your pocketbook 2"
/ hadn't the least idea where ii was.
"Some one has to watch" | cut in
"HOw do we know what
they're up to?"
Pm so afraid of shot, May" sniv-
cred Sally. Listen ~
Step. Step. Step Step. Tensely
we waited until the form came to
view. 1t was woman bound on
heaven knows what CHASTITY errand at
that hour.
l warned. 'WeU simply
make for the door"
You're fine sight for that ~ she
said shortly. But she unlocked the
door against hasty exit.
1 felt afraid to consign my post to
Sally while / dressed. She might
shrek at lurking shadow and need
lessly alarm the house. Sally was
historical.
All at once. as I had expected.
form slouched from the dark area
way. Along the opposite side of the
street II came In front of NV window
the dark figure faced my room as
thong, gaugins the distance between
the fence and tbe window ledpe
Resolutely he stepped from the curb.
Sally clutched my arm. Come on"
she almost shouted and made for the
hall. But terror held me to the spot.
The shadowy form had gained the
middle of the street. He paused TO
glance stealthily over his shoulder for
his accomplice. Cautiously. from the
area way. emerged the