Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-30

thorn stick of which I had kept a jealous
hold. AS 1 saw the glances which they ex-
changed. my hands Involuntary frightened
their grasp. AT the same moment touch
Of cold steel made itself felt against my
wrists and sharp click broke the momen-
tary stiffness of the room. l tried to sep
arate my hands and found that they were
cuffed. I made no struggle, for 1 knew in
other cases, where had been the operator
and another the victim, that the man who
submitted quietly to his fate stood the
chance of best treatment from his captors.
1 turned just in time to see the man with the
stained hands moving back to his place by
the door, and then, without word, brought
my eyes back to meet madam's. She let
low. deiiciously ripping bit of laughter
escape her lips
You take it WELL" she said. Now, Jack
son. search him!" The stained hands made
a rapid exploration of my pockets but,
thanks to the precaution l had taken be-
fore starting out, nothing of a nature to
excite further suspicion of my good faith
was discovered. The search, however, SEEM
ed scarcely to satisfy their fears for they
held hurried conversation together, where
in the two men seemed to hold an opinion
differing from that of madam. She finally
turned from them and commanded the man
she had addressed as jackson to release me.
Il have for you further commission"
she began, the words falling quickly and
tercely from her lips, making the slightly
cbarmingly perceptible. Tomorrow you
will take the train which leaves the Grand
Central station at 10 o'clock for p. In
two hours you will arrive there. You will
be met by man to whom you will give
the usual signal You will find him await
ing you with light wagon and a pair of
black horses. He will take you to a GER
tain house whittier further orders will DE
conveyed to you within the twenty-four
hours which follow. Should you by any
means fail to receive them within that
time. you are at liberty to return. AS be-
fore be prompt, be sure. and, as you value
your life, be silent. Do not think that g
mistake on your part will escape detection
or that blunder will pass unforgiven. l
will return to you your pistols. When next
you are inclined to suspect possible dam
ger take better care of them
Her voice ceesed, and she stood close be-
fore ME-. her eyes blazing into mine. Il
she added. slowly. You will be true either
to oursaly es or to our enemies. For yoar
own sake. let it be the former!'
She took out my pistols from drawer
In the table near which she was standing,
ard half held them toward me, when sud
denly there pealed through the room the
Icing. shrill quivering of an electric bell.
Madam drew baek-a revolver in either
hand. We stood in silence, staring into
each others eyes. She raised her right
hand slowly until the weapon covered my
face.
IF you have Been false" she said 'Tf
you have dared to speak, your own bullet
shall repay YOU
1 bowed a silent answer. The revolver
followed the DendlnS OF my head. down anu
up. The bell pealed again: this time IN
two short, quick rings, with a distinct
pause between. One of the men let fall an
oath. The other breathed sigh of relief
Madam lowered her weapon and turned to
my late guide.
'Unfasten the door, she said. 1T is one
of us. Perhaps messenger from the same
source. with the letters at last. There was no
one to expect, though. but this stranger
What" She changed her speech to the
strange tongue she had used previously
compaEfors. All four stood, listening in
silence. Presently the door opened and