The Argosy, March 1907 — page 177: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

+ ESIC ERS ; Sat of the burglar who had left without ta- king any loot. This part Mrs. Parker was unable to believe, and to make sure that. such was the case, investigation. ‘“T just knew something would happen. while Harry was away,” she said, refer- ring to her husband, who had gone to the city that morning and was not expected home until the next afternoon. “ Can you reach that gas-jet, Dorothy?—you are taller than I. He has always poon- poohed the idea of burglars. But how in the world did he get in?” she asked suddenly. “It was my fault,” replied Dorothy guiltily. “ When I came down-stairs for a little bite before going to bed I poked my head out on the veranda to get a breath of air, and I suppose I forgot to lock the door again.’ “And you might have caught your death of cold, with only your nightgown and slippers on. You are very careless.” “But isn’t it a good thing he didn’t take anything! There is all that solid silver Harry gave you when you were married. It is worth a great deal, but he didn’t try to find anything—after he saw ’ Dorothy added archly. “ And I suppose you think he was so smitten with you that his villain’s heart melted in its bad intentions,” retorted her - sister sarcastically. saw that fellow on the train that he was a bad one, and—merciful Heavens!” She had opened the lower door of the sideboard, where the silverware was kept (it was only brought. forth on royal oc- casions), and discovered, to her horror, empty space. Every single piece was missing ! For a moment both women were so amazed that neither could speak a word. All they were able to do was to stare into each other’s face, seeking an ex- planation. Mrs. Parker was the first to recover, and her sentences were plentifully punc- tuated with tear-drops. _ “There—there is your honorable burglar. ‘That shows how honest he was, and how he went away after seeing you without taking anything. He meant any- thing more than he had already taken. I knew no burglar was so soft-hearted, and that was the set Harry gave me on she began an. ‘you can’t get around that. “TIT knew when [ - life,” MUDDLE. our wedding-day. Oh, it’s enough to set me crazy! Why did he go to town, this night above all others! There is five hundred dollars’ worth of silver stolen!” She burst into uncontrollable weeping. “Surely it wasn’t worth that much, sister,” said Dorothy, thinking to console, but she merely fanned her sister’s indig- nation. “Do you think Harry would have bought me anything less valuable? I tell you ! saw the bill for that silverware, and And now it’s gone, and all through your carelessness. You know you should never have left that front door open, Dorothy! Why, the idea is preposterous—insane! With the number of robberies we have had around here lately, I should think you would. have known better.” Dorothy was sorrowful indeed, and began to cry also. Her elder sister grew softer then, and told her not. to mind; they must send for the police. But who could they send at this hour of the morning? It was now about one o'clock. They had no telephone, and so they had to content themselves with allowing the robbery to go without being reported until daylight. to bed, but not to sleep. ITT. In the meantime, Voorhees had found his right domicile, entered, and went to bed, laughing to himself over his joke. His laugh was turned to a look of con- cern the next afternoon when, while walking up one of the main streets of* the town, he was tapped on the shoulder and an unknown voice informed him that he was under arrest. “Arrest! On what charge?” de- manded the alarmed Voorhees. “ Entering the home of Mrs. Parker, on Decatur Avenue, last night and rob- bing it of silverware to the value of five hundred dollars,’ replied the detective, who held him by the arm. “The home of Mrs. Parker—silver- They went back ware? Qh, I see,’’ and Voorhees began to laugh. “Good! Fine! She has got back at me. I thought for a moment you were in earnest, and that the house had actually been robbed. I Z “I was never more in earnest in my answered the detective coldly. comicbooks.co TAQ?