Harold MacGrath

“ The burglar rose to his feet with astonishing agility, Forbes watched him, under a malevolent enchantment He saw the man whip down from the wall a rare old priest's stole.
“Put your hands behind the chair and hold them there. The automatic's the quickest thing in the world.” ”

“ IV A PAGE FROM SCHEHEREZADE IN the meantime Forbes was invited by the burglar to come in and sit down. He entered the room, thoroughly hypnotized.
“Sit down in that chair there,” went on the man in the mask, indicating a fine Sheraton. Strange, that Forbes should give any particular attention to the make of a chair. “Theres a good chap,” came hoarsely. “I should hate to give you a crack on the head. If you keep perfectly quiet and do as you're told, I shan't be forced to hurt you. ”

“ Never mind.” The burglar slipped the pistol into a pocket “Now, don't worry. Perhaps sometime before midnight the people who live here will come to your assistance.”
Then the rogue knelt before the safe again and took out an exquisite Florentine jewel-box. He did not bother to try the lock. He was evidently pressed for time. He simply wrapped it up in a newspaper, tied it securely with a string he found in a work-basket, picked up his tools, his hat and coat, and paused for a moment on the threshold. Forbes could see the sparkle of his eyes through the holes in the mask. ”