Cogswell Polytechnical College - Cogswell Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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52 THE COGSVVELL Yes, it is. But I believe it was the Society Burglar who- The Society Burglar? she gasped, and fell back on the lounge. jack took her in his arms. She was trembling from head to foot. IWhat is the matter, dear? K'Oh, jack, Iim so frightened! Did I ever tell you about him F UNO. VVell, about three years ago, just after my brother left for the Vlfest, we were robbed. INhy didn't you tell me. Uh, I couldnt Wfell, the man got in some way, although there were no windows broken or marred and all the doors were locked. He was in full dress and wore a black mask. I-Ie entered my room through the porch doors and lit the light. He seemed to know where everything was. I awoke and started to scream, but he gagged me before I could make any one hear me. I-Ie helped himself to my jewelry, tipped his silk hat as he went and left me there helpless. I remained so until the next morning, when Anne came in with my breakfast. The police could not find the slightest clew. I've always wished to get even with him. jack, I've changed my mind. I do want you to go, but be careful. I hate him for what he did and I'd like nothing better than to have him brought to justice, especially by youf, I'll do it, jack said, rising from the lounge. I know you will. But don't waste any time. Start in now. The day you capture the Society Burglar I will become your wife. Do you mean that? and jack took her in his arms. A He did not wait for an answer. He could tell by her eyes that she was sincere. I-Ie gave her a tight squeeze, pressed his lips to hers and quickly left the room. He now was determined. He was not only working for justice, honor and money, but for the hand of the girl whom he worshiped. A week had elapsed. jack was disheartened. He sat in his comfort- able armchair with bent head trying to think of a clew to help him unravel the mystery about the burglaries. I-Ie had accomplished little during the week. He was sure that some guest was the thief since all the thefts had been committed on the night that a large party was being held. Society had surely taken in some untempered steel. If he could only manage to be at one of the parties without being suspected. But how could he do so? He was not well enough acquainted to be invited and it would spoil every- thing to Ubutti' in because he would be suspected. Hundreds of suggestions entered his mind, but he had a strong argument against all of them. Thus he sat all day long thinking, thinking, thinking, but to no avail. He would not give up. He wanted to make good and, above all, he wanted Eleanor. A slight ,noise came from behind him. He did not move. Then suddenly he jumpedvup .and drew his automatic. He calmly slipped the revolver back in his belt and smiledfor the first time that day. Instead of looking into the eyes of a sneak thief he was looking into the eyes of a beautiful girl's portrait which had been printed on a piece of sheet music. The music lay on the floor. It had been blown down from the piano by

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THE COGSWELL Sl -lack could hardly wait until the nest evening arrived. lle was to call on .Eleanor and tell her of his new project. .Ns he walked down the street, he wondered what she would say. l.'erhaps she would object, and then what? No! He was going through with it no matter what happened. He walked up some marble steps, tixing his tie and smoothing his hair as he ascended. lt was Inv' house. lle rang the bell. and was ushered by a neatly dressed maid, into a beautifully furnished room. For its vast size it was very homelike, with quantities ol bookcases anrl comfortable chairs. l-le found Eleanor cudclled up on a lounge of gold and satin. She had large blue eyes, a lair complexion and a small mouth, inside of which set perfect teeth. She wore a light conlection nl a house gown of some astonishingly attractive hue, and around her neck hung a magnificent chain of sapphires. She had been writing addresses, and the lingers she gave into his were smudged with ink. ,lack put her hand to his lips and laugliecl as he kissed the ink stains. She put her arms around his neck and locked lovingly into his manly lace. He was at home. 'Tm so glad to see you, lack. -lust think, it's been nearly a week since you'ye been here. It seems like a month to me. How do you like my new dress? she asked as she released herself from him and paraded the room. You look adorable in it, Eleanor. 'Tm so glad you like it. Father sent it to me from Paris. Eleanor, my dear, I have something' very important to tell you. l have a new positionf, lYhat? Oh lack! You were getting along so nicely, and I had hopes we could- Get married? he ventured. 'Yes-but now? lYhat are you going to do? 1 I am a detective working for the government, and am getting three hundred dollars a month. Eleanor's heart beat rapidly. Her 'lack a detective! Detectives always got killed. Oh, -lack, she cried pleadingly. You won't do it, will you? But it is- Say that you won't. Promise me. If you love me, don't undertake this unsafe adventure,'l and she nestled close to him. Eleanor, my dear, you don't understand. The police have been baffled by this man. He has stolen over half a million dollars in jewelry inside of three months. This must stop, and the governor has besto.wed the honor of finding the thief upon me. just think of that, dearielw It's all very nice, but I'd rather you wouldntt do it. Wl1y do you know that the night before last while the governor was having a party he was robbed of two thousand dollars' worth of jewelry. And the strange part of it was that the house was surrounded with police- men who never even saw a man either enter or come out. 7 How strange?

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THE COGSWELL 53 the breeze coming through the open window. He stooped to pick it up, but as his lingers were about to seize it he hesitated. Then he jumped up, skipped around the room with his hands in his pockets and whistled a merry little tune. At last he shouted, I've got it at last! Ray! Ray! Ray! Now I can work. Gee, l've been a boob not to think of that before. Here I've been playing the piano all week and the idea never entered 1ny head. His plan was to hire out as an entertainer. He was a wonderful pianist, especially in the playing of ragtime. ,llc would play lor the dances and in that way gain entrance to the houses without creating the least suspicion. He could observe thinfrs closelv and detect auv little thine' that miffht UO wrong. 5 H f 6 b b He grabbed his hat and cane and banged the door behind him. In an hour he was back. lle had obtained the chance he wanted, He was going to play dance music at Mrs. XYestl1all's party the following Friday evening. It was arranged that another pianist should play classical music between dances. This would give .lack an opportunity lu make observations during the intermissions. Friday night came. .lack armed himself and hastened to Mrs. NVest- hall's. He was rather early and none ol the guests had arrived. He man- aged to get one of the servants to take him around the house, saying that its antiquity and richness had made him very curious to see it. He observed everything very closely and felt sure that he would be able to prowl around without getting lost. By this time the guests had arrived and the dance began. The evening progressed and everything went on smoothly. About ll :3O, just after lack had rendered a most popular rag, Lord Norfolk. one ol the most distin- guished guests, walked over toward the piano with his partner, Miss Mears. He was extremely warm and pulled out a handkerchief from the rear pocket of his trousers to mop his brow. .-Xs he did so he unconsciously lifted a piece of chamois just above the pocket. lt was invisible to the unsuspect- ing, but j'ack's alert eye noticed it. He did not give it a second glance, but turned slightly so as not to create the slightest suspicion. XVill you excuse me, Miss Mears, for a few momentsi saic Lore Norfolk politely. 'Tve danced so much I have a terrible headache, and I think if I could lie down for a few moments the pain would be greatly alleviated. Certainly, but don't be long. You have the one after the next with at i 1 me. Lord Norfolk had already gained the staircase and, taking two steps at a time, he reached the second floor. jack wanted to follow him, but he couldn't-he had to play. He shortened the next da11ce considerably and then sauntered out of the room in the most unconcerned manner. Vtfhen he came to the second floor he listened closely. For several minutes he could hear nothing and then suddenly he heard a slight click as if the cover of a watch had been closed. The sound came from an adjoining room and lack hastened quietly to the door and peeped through the keyhole. Wfithin he saw Lord Norfolk stooping to pick up a small wrist Watch from the floor.