Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-09

Nhicu maze no SOuhu upOh~tne ncaNy
rugs with which the floor was covered
she came in her turn and confronted
me.
"Why did you come armed?" she de.
manded.
She was standing before me, her mag.
niiicent figure drawn up to its full
height. and arose and faced her before
answering.
II thought it only a proper rrecau.
ton. and one which habitually take
"Then you should also take care &c
be less easily disarmcd," she proceeded
with some impotence. How long have
you been waiting for this opportunity
to tell us that you have to disappoint
us after all ="
l told her ten days-the length Of time
! had been in the house over the way.
From whom did you receive the sig.
nal?" she demanded.
For d moment, as her eyes flashed
into mine, something impeled me to
throw up the game | was playing and
confess my impostcrship, but second
thought nerved me to 90 on.
at is better replied, even here,
to mention no names.
She shrugged her white shoulders
slightly. your caution is admirable"
she said. "Sce that you continue it.
Meanwhile, will you explain yourself
more fully. The message announcing
your arrival with the letters we ex-
pected you to deliver tonight, was re-
ccived two weeks ago. You have
watched your chance to communicate
with us well, and with commendable
caution. But now that you arc here
you bring US nothing. Explain, if you
please"
l stammered bindly for could not
see which way matters were tending),
that it had, at the last moment, been
considered unsafe to send the commit
nics.ion for which they were looking;
that certain things were discovered;
that another message must be waited
for. Madam regarded Inc for mo-
ment with no attempt towards conceal
Ing her suspicion, and | saw her eve
flash darby through the black mask.
PsCCb iti iONiy h"tNbiliB lht IuTec
people before me, my back towards the
IGOR and both hands behind me grasp
ing the blackthorn stick of which had
kept a jealous hold. AS | saw the
chances which they exchanged, my
hands Involuntary frightened their
grasp. AT the same moment touch of
cold steel made itself felt against INV
wrists and sharp click broke the
monetary stiffness of the room. | tried
to separate my hands and found that
they were cuffed. made no struggle.
for l knew in other cases, where | had
occn the operator and another the vic
tim, that the man who submitted quiet
~ to his fate stood the chance of best
treatment from his captors. | turned
just in time to see the man with the
stained hands moving back to his place
oy the door, and then, without word,
brought my eyes back to meet
nadnme's. She let low, dcliciously
ripping bit of laughter escape her
lips.
you take it WE'LL she said. "Now.
Jackson, search hint" The stained
hands made rapid exploration of my
pockets, but, thanks to the precaution
had taken before starting out, notn-
ing of nature to excite further sus-
plcion of my good faith was discovered.
The search, however, seemed scarcely
to satisfy their fears, for they held a
hurried and somew hat excited CONVEX
sation together. wherein the two men
seemed to hold an opinion differing
from that Of madame. She finally
turned from them and commanded tho
man she had addressed as Jackson, to
release me.
Il have for you Il further commits
SION" she began; the words falling
quickly and terscly from her lips, max.
ing the slightly foreign accent with
which she spoke chaTmngly percepti-
Die. "To-morrow you will take the
train which leaves the Grand Central
station at ten O'Clock for p. In two
hours You will arrive there. You viii
be met by man to whom YOU will give
the usual signal. You will find him
awaiting you with light wagon and
pair of black horses lie will ,ako
You to certain house whittier further
orders will he conveyed to YOU within
the - hours which follow. Should YOU
by am means fail to rccciv them within
mat time, you are ut liberty to return
AS before, be prompt, he sure, and. "a
you value your life, be silent. Do not
think that mistake on your part win
escape detection. OF that n blunderwi'l
pass unforgiyen. will return to YOU
your pistols, When next you are in
clined to suspect possible danger, take
better care OF them"
Her voice ceased and she stood close
before me, her eyes blazing into mine.
II have seen you omcwherc--some-
time she added, slowly. You will
be true either to ourselves or to our
enemies. For your own sake, let it be
the former"
She took out my pistols from drawer
In the table near which she was stand-
ing, and half held them towards me.
when suddenly there peeled through
the room the long. sl,rill quivcring Of
an electric bell. Madam drew back--a
revolver in either hand. We stood in
silence, staring into each others ewes.
She raised her right hand slowly un-
Til the weapon covered my face.
IF you have been false" she said.
If you have dared to speak, your own
bullet shall repay you"
bowed silent answer. The revolt
'er followed the bending of my head,
Town and up. The bell peeled agnin,
This time in two short, quick rings
With distinct pause between. One