The Master of Silence

e. Between midnight and one o'clock in the morning, thieves had entered the Metropolitan Bank, overpowered the watchman, broken into the vaults and stolen half a million dollars in c

e thieves what will they

red, "where thieves are kept a

prison. They could not have robbed

who are not suspected. They look like honest men and

houghtfully, "that one woul

l men are not like you. Most

imed joyfully, "I can do some

im our attention. The subject which it introduces was not soon abandoned. We talked about it on our way to the Paddington

on among Mr. Paddington's guests. It was referred to frequently, and somewhat to the e

d to his face, as he stood head and shoulders above a group of ladies and gentlemen who had gathered about him. Never had his presence seemed so magnetic and impressive since t

noticed for some moments standing across the room in earnest conversation w

company proceeded to the dining-hall. My seat at the table was almost directly opposite Rayel. His grave and dignified demeanor was made doubly conspicuous by the coque

you painted!" exclaimed Miss

also admires it, but I must own

, peering shyly into his eyes. "The Count de Montalle has fallen

unt, who sat near them. "But ze lady-she sat for me lon

an aquiline nose and a pointed chin, adorned with an imperial. The face was almost mephis

st himself, you know,

he looked inquiringly at the gentleman referred to, as if do

phasis. "For twenty years I h

asked Rayel, in a to

etender and one of the many bogus noblemen of whom I had read? Rayel was sounding him, tha

aimed the insulted nob

nswered Rayel, "I did not kn

ne," said the young lady, who did not seem

e easy enough

in a subject. I am not beautiful, you know, but if

f small talk, while Rayel sat listening. The dinner was nearl

ue, Miss Paddington. You said that the Prince of Wales gave you the

moment for

ontinued. "People do not alw

embarrassment, while an unnat

talking then?" he asked. No

have been laughing as if you were very happy, but you have felt more like weeping. This must be a very sad

ecame suddenly pale and almost horror-stricken. Rayel's words were spok

pose of diverting attention from the young lady. "The vaults of the Metropolitan Bank on Wall Street were bl

zen of the guests seeking to e

ount, as he lighted a piece of sugar soak

ddenly went out, as if the gas had been turned off. The burning cognac ca

said Rayel. "That is strange, for one of t

to shrink back into darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant escorts rushed precipitately from the room. The servants hurried in with candles, but light was no sooner restored than the guests who still remained at table rose, as if by general consent, and left the dini

eding to the coat room. Th

jackass!" he hisse

night air and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue. N

is a j

hand as if expecting an

he truth in this world-he

iences we had been through. Perhaps that is