Part 33 (1/2)

”That might be a good idea, Officer--I'll think it over,” the pilferer thanked him.

Then he went on with his task of taking the back out of the mounting of the Rubens, showing that he did not trust his knife with such an ancient and priceless canvas.

Gladwin was thinking up another ironic opening when the door bell rang. He jumped and cried:

”If that's the lady, sorr, I'll go and let her in.”

”No, you wait here,” the other objected. ”She might be frightened at the sight of a policeman--you stay here. I'll let her in myself,” and he strode swiftly out into the hallway.

CHAPTER XXIX.

IN WHICH THE HERO IS KEPT ON THE HOP.

Travers Gladwin watched the big handsome mis-presentiment of himself disappear into the hallway with every nerve at full strain.

As he heard the door open, then a delighted feminine cry and the unmistakable subtle sound of an embrace, he ground his finger nails into his palms and bit his lips. Every fibre of him burned with jealous hatred of this impostor.

If there had been only more of the brute left in the Gladwin strain undoubtedly there would have been a sensational clash between the two men for the benefit of the beautiful young girl who, Gladwin strove to acknowledge, was the helpless p.a.w.n of circ.u.mstances. But the refinements of blood rob the physical man of his savage resources and impose a serious hamper upon his primordial impulses.

Helen came into the room with the thief's arm about her waist while Gladwin stood dumbly at attention, his features hardened and inscrutable.

At sight of his uniform and failing to recognize him in his disguise the girl turned pale and uttered a frightened exclamation.

”Don't be alarmed, dear,” the man at her side rea.s.sured her, smiling down upon her, ”this is only officer--” He looked up with a laughing expression of inquiry.

”Murphy, sorr,” responded Gladwin, through tightly compressed lips.

”Yes,” the pretender nodded quickly. ”Murphy, Officer Murphy, my dear--looks after my house when I'm away. He is one of the city's best little watchmen and he is going to see that everything is made safe and secure after we have gone.”

Helen breathed an exclamation of relief, but the fright in her eyes lingered as the unconscious feeling struck in that the att.i.tude of the policeman seemed more than a trifle strained.

She carried a little grip in one hand, which the bogus Gladwin took from her and handed to the real Gladwin, nodding significantly for him to leave the room. Turning to Helen, he said:

”But why did you bring the bag, dear? My man told me he found your trunk at the Grand Central Station.”

”Yes,” Helen answered, ”but auntie insisted that I go to the opera, so I had to pack my travelling dress. I slipped out of the opera during the entre act, and went home to change my gown. I was so frightened and in such a dreadful state of nerves that I couldn't.”

A shudder ran through her and she seemed on the point of breaking down when the man with whom she had chosen to elope drew her to him and said with what had every expression of genuine tenderness:

”There, there, dear! Calm yourself. Why, you're trembling like a leaf.

There is nothing to be frightened about now.”

She yielded to his embrace and he bent down his head to kiss her on the lips.

Whatever he projected in the nature of an enduring osculation was spoiled as Gladwin dropped the bag to the floor with a crash.

The man looked up angrily and the girl gave a frightened cry.

”What's the matter with you, officer?” the thief shot at him.