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And, placing his dark lantern upon a table, he draws forth his picklock

and chisels, and coht--this

thievish instinct has not deceived him, he has found all, all Here is

the little box of sparkling diamonds, and here the full purses of money

With a knavish smile, Joseph Ribas conceals the brilliants in his bosom,

and deposits the money in his capacious pockets

"It is a pity that this is not rin, "but

toward this count I must act as an honorable thief, and I have pro it all truly to him"

The work is completed, the ain creep away from the house his feet have soiled

Why does he not? Why does he linger in these roolances to the door behind which Natalie sleeps?

He cannot withstand the te

Natalie, he must see her once more! And, irl? He will only have onemore!

He noiselessly pushes back the bolt; noiselessly, upon tiptoe, with

closed lantern, he creeps into the room and to Natalie's bedside

She is wonderfully beautiful, and she s is that placid face, that half-uncovered shoulder, that arm

thrown up over her head, where it is half concealed under her luxuriant

locks! Wonderfully beautiful is she Dares he to touch that arrant lips? Why not? No