Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-23
CHAPTER II.

| soon forget with what o foreboding shudder l
| observed that its four blank walls were liter
ally unbroken by Q single window, for this told
| me that / was in no communication with the
street and that it would be impossible for me
to summon help from the outside world. The
single gas jet burning in a fixture hanging from
the ceiling was the only relief given 10 the eye
in the blank expanss Of white wall that sur
| rounded me; while, a. to furniture, the room
could boast Of nothing more than an old-fash-
toned black walnut table and two chairs, the
| latter cushioned, but stiff in the back and gen.
orally dilapidated in appearance. The only
sign Of comfort about me was tray that stood
on the table, containing . couple Of bottles Of
wine and two glasses. The bottles were full
and the glasses clean, and to add to this
appearance Of hospitality q box Of cigars
perceive, even at the first glance, was of the
very best brand.
Astonished at these tokens of consideration
for my welfare, and COMPOUNDED by the pros
Pect which they offered Of a lengthy stay in
this place, gave another great shout, but to
no better purpose than before. Not q voice
answered and not q stir was heard in the house.
But there came from without the sound Of
suddenly moving wheels, as if the carriage
which had left standing before the door had
slowly rolled away. II this were 80 then was
indeed . prisoners prisoner while the mo-
ments so necessary to my plans, and perhaps to
the securing Of my whole future happiness, were
flying by like the wind. As I realized this and
my own utter helplessness fell into one of the
chairs before me In Q state Of perfect despair.
Not that any fears for my life were disturbing
me- Though one in my situation might well
question If he would ever again breathe the
open air from which he had been so ingeniously
iured, did not In that first moment of utter
down-heartedness so much a. inquire the reason
for the trick which had been played upon me.
No, for my heart was full Of Dora, and was
asking myself if l were destined to lose her
after all, and that through no lack Of effort on
my part, but just because party of thieves or
blackmailers had thought At to play game with
my liberty.
1t could not be. There must be some mis-
take about 1t. 1t was some great Joke or was
the victim OF dream or suffering from some
hideous nightmare. Why, only half hour be-
familiar belongings, and now But, alas !
IL was no deiusion. Only four blank, white
washed walls met my inquiring eyes and though
knocked and knocked again upon the two
doors which guarded me on either side hollow
echoes continued to be the only answer l re-
ceived.
Had the carriage, then, taken away the two
persons had seen in this house and was in
deed alone in this great emptiness? The
thought made me desperate, but notwithstand-
Tor l might be mistaken. There might yet be
some being left who would yield to my en-
treaties if they were backed by something sub
stantiaL
Taking out my watch laid it on the table; it
was just 1AS; Then l emptied my trousers
pockets Of whatever money they held, and when
all was heaped up before me could count but
S12, which, together with my studs and q seal
ring which l wore, seemed a paltry pittance
with which to barter for the liberty Of which
had been robbed. But it was all had with me,
and was willing to part with it at once if only
some one would unlock the door and let me go.
But how make known my wishes. even if there
was any one to listen to them? / had already
called in vain. and there was no bell. Yes
there was. Why had not seen it before? There
was bell and 1 sprang to ring it. But Just as
my hand fell on the cord heard gentle voice
behind my back saying in good English, but
with strong foreign accent:
Put mp your money, Mr.. Atwater; we do not
want your money, only your society. Allow
me to beg you to replace both watch and
Wheeling about in my double surprise at the
presence Of this intruder and his unexpected
acquaintance with my name encountered the
smiling glance Of . middle-aged man Of genteel
bowling almost to the ground and was, as l in
stantly detected, Of German birth and educa-
ton, a gentleman and not the blackleg had
every reason to expect to see.
You have made q slight mistake" he was
saying; lit 10 your society, only your society,
that we want"
Astonished at his appearance and exceedingly
irritated at his words stepped back as he Of
fered me my watch and bluntly cried IF it is
my society only that you want you have GER
A thief could have set no heater trap. and IL it
ismoney you want state your sum andlet me 60,
for my time is valuable and my society likely
to be unpleasant"
He gave q shrug with his shoulders that in no
wise interfered with his set smile
ssY0n chO0aa To he ~ 10, ~
81 have already remarked that we have no use
for your money. Will you sit down? Here is
some excellent wine and il this brand Of cigars
does not suit you / will send for another
send for the devil" 1 cried, greatly exas-
perated. What do You mean by keeping me in
this place against my will Open that door and
let me out Or
was ready to spring and he saw it. Smiling
more atrociously than ever he slipped behind
the table. and before I could reach him had
my eyes
''You are excited" he remarked. with q
suavity that nearly drove me mad. Now. ex-
element is no aid to good company, and am
determined that none but good company shall
be In this room tonight. SO il you will be kind
enough to calm yourself, Mr.. Atwater, you and
l may yet enjoy ourselves, but if not
Ihe action be made was significant, and felt
the cold sweat break out on my forehead
through all the heat Of my indignation.
Ou. NAu hos nAoon W euOW ulm tndt ne mad
intimidated me.
Excuse me-" said I. ''and put down your
pistol Though you are making me lose ire
deemable time l will try and control myself
enough to give you an opportunity for ex-
planning yourself. Why have you entrapped
me into this placer
Il have already told you," said he. gently
laying the pistol before him, but in easy reach
Of his hand.
But that is preposterous,"I began. fast
losing my self control again. you do not
know me and il you did"
Pardon me, you see know your name"
Yes, that was true and the fact set me think
ing. How did he know my name? did not
know him nor did / know this house or any
reason for which could have been beguiled
into il. Was l the victim Of conspiracy or
WAS the man mad? Looking at him very earn
estly declared: MY name is Atwater and SO
FAR you are right, but in learning that much
about me you must also have learned that am
neither rich nor influential or Of any special
value to blackmailer. Why choose me out
then for-your society? Why not choose some
one who can-talk?'
Il find your conversation very interesting"
Bafaed, exasperated almost beyond my power
to restrain myself, shook my fist in his face.
notwithstanding I saw his hand fly to his pistol
Let me CO." shrieked, :. let me 60 ont Of
this place. have business,I tell you0import-
ant business-which means everything to me-
and which IL do not attend to 1t tonight will
be lost to me forever; let me Co. and will so
far reward you that will speak to no one Of
what has taken place here tonight, but 20 nv