Part 43 (1/2)

”Hold up--”

”I'll tell him.”

”Wait,” I cried, jumping out of bed in my desire to retain him.

At that moment a whistle came from below and with an exclamation of relief our burglar slammed the door and locked it. We heard him go down three steps at a time and rush out of the house.

”Now you've scared them away,” said Clara, ”with your idiotic humor.”

I felt contrite and alarmed.

”How could I help it?” I said angrily, preparing to climb out on the roof of the porch. ”I tried to tell him.”

With which I scrambled out on the roof, made my way to the next room and entering, released Clara. At the top of the steps we stood clinging together.

”Suppose they left it all behind,” said Clara.

”Or even some!”

”Oh, George, I know it--I know it!”

”Don't be unreasonable--let's go down.” Holding a candle aloft we descended. The lower floor was stripped of silver--not even an individual almond dish or a m.u.f.fineer remained. We fell wildly, hilariously into each other's arms and began to dance. I don't know exactly what it was, but it wasn't a minute.

Suddenly Clara stopped.

”George!”

”Oh, Lord, what is it?”

”Supposin'.”

”Well--well?”

”Supposin' they've dropped some of it in the path.”

We rushed out and searched the path, nothing there. We searched the road--one individual almond dish had fallen. I took it and hammered it beyond recognition and flung it into the pond. It was criminal, but I did it.

And then we went into the house and danced some more. We were happy.

Of course we raised an alarm--after sufficient time to carefully dress, and fill the lantern with oil. Other houses too had been robbed before we had been visited, but as they were occupied by old inhabitants, the occupants had nonchalantly gone to sleep again after surrendering their small change. Our exploit was quite the sensation. With great difficulty we a.s.sumed the proper public att.i.tude of shock and despair. The following day I wrote full particulars to the Insurance Company, with a demand for the indemnity.

”You'll never get the full amount,” said Clara.

”Why not?”

”You never do. They'll send a man to ask disagreeable questions and to beat us down.”