Sarah Harbine Weaver

“ The population of Greater New York is over seven millions, yet, judging from the eager multitudes which flock to my door, Manhattan might be a desert island. I'm dipping in real estate, and just now am on the lookout for a Long Island demesne for a weary plutocrat. Know of anything?"
Tierney's eyes narrowed as if he were seeing things far away. Then he laid a hand on my shoulder. "In all probability, I've the very place you're looking for. I've decided to sell Ravensnest—the old Tierney home." ”

“ For several moments we whizzed along while flash followed flash and rumble succeeded rumble.
"There's no use in being reckless," said Bennett, after a deafening clap. "There's a road-house near here with something of a reputation for its cuisine. We'll turn in there, eat a leisurely dinner and see Ravensnest afterward. The storm's too thorough-going to last long."
The meal at the small hostelry was better than I had anticipated, but even the smothered duck failed to elicit a word of commendation from Tierney, who had grown unaccountably gloomy. ”

“ A short man, wearing a mask, had strapped the Viking to his chair, and even as we watched, proceeded to gag him. A second man, also masked, who walked with a slight limp, kept him covered with a revolver.
In a flash I recalled a newspaper account of an escaped criminal, "Limping Larry," known to be on Long Island and described by the police as a hardened villain, who had taken more than one life.
"Smash the window with the barrel of your gun," whispered Bennett hoarsely, "and pick off the big fellow. ”

“ These people (for there are probably more than one) are at least housebreakers. The fellows who broke into Cushing's place last week were professionals—armed to the teeth. That sleeping giant is no Mellin's Food baby. If you say so, we'll drive back to Maple Valley for reinforcements—"
"Never!" I cried. "We've got the advantage of surprise on our side, and as for me, I'm for the attack and the adventure."
"Good," was Bennett's only comment, but he said it in a way to warm the blood.
As we passed the living-room windows, we paused to see whether the old fellow still slept. ”

“ Bennett would probably keep Ravensnest. Whether he did or not, there would be no South American ranch for us. And Edith Noland, bless her! the only girl I'd ever wanted would—
With an effort I wrenched myself back to the present and the nurse lighted me to the door I paused to ask a question, "Might it not be too much for Mrs. Tierney in her weakened condition to find her husband there when she awakes?"
The nurse smiled a trifle tremulously. "Happiness does not kill," she said softly. ”

“ As we approached the majestic facade, the moon, pirouetting with the clouds, suddenly lighted the mansion with a pale and fickle radiance. We paused for a moment under the lofty, silent trees, gazing at the house. ”

“ Suddenly, Bennett gave a sort of gasp and fell head first over something on the. floor. My foot struck it about the same time and I shrank back, thinking I had run against a human body. In a trice Tierney was on his feet again, towing me along.
"That was a rug," he panted, "rolled up." And then he came to an abrupt standstill, bending toward me. "I'm going to open the door to the wing now. If we make any noise, they'll hear us." ”

“ He crept noiselessly away, his face suffused with a vast joy. The nurse and I hurried to Colonel Rogers, who was still ineffectually struggling with the coils of rope. He accepted my explanations with almost wordless gratitude. ”