The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-10-06

I was attempting II, when he took
three strides and stood in the door
way, his eyes wide, his lips twitching.
"Ohl it has come to this, has it?''
he said, huskily. A strained pause.
I could not look at him. Then: 'Jef,
/ can't stand it longer. What does IL
mean? I wait here an hour to see
you, and you stink past me like thief.
Not world Come in here, you shall
speak, Now, you mad fool, what are
you mixed up in? I'll know before
I leave this house-before / put the
police on the fellow"
He held the doorway, and he meant
something. The mere sight Of his
face, working with mingled incredulity
and irdignation-th mere recollection
of all the dear old times together--was
enough to break down the miserable
barrier; but there was Nina-Nina's
glorious face between us that night.
turned my head doggedly.
"Well?" he asked.
''It's too late," was my answer. /
knew Masters; only the truth would
silence him. Anything that happens
to him now, happens to me. Is that
enough?"
"Good heavensl' He stood staring.
"Jeff, JEFF! do you know what you
have said-what you are doing?"
eyes; too WE'LL" / spun round
then, both hands out, unable TO keep
it back come what might. "Jack, cut
me dead, every one of you, but don't
ask me questions, for l can't answer
them. He does belong to secret
society," admit to you, and not an
hour ago / asked him to initiate me as
a member-to put me to any test.
Therel no, I'm not mad; but-but |
hope to marry his daughter, the dear
est and most innocent girl on Gods
earth? Now you know-Jack!"
He had gone-picked up his hat like
man dazei. and gonel heard him
feeling his way down the stairs as if
his sight had failed him Masters, my
lifelong chuml Myself, 1 could not
move for time Call him back Pho,
l could notl 1t was too late. II he
meant Nina on the one hand and saliva
ton on the other-I must choose
Ninal
'For your life do not come near
The house is watched by police. A
false move now, and the work of
months goes-poufl We want friends
neutrality-suspicious. with money and
devotion. You--you may have n
double incentivel Say nothing of it,
but go quietly to 4 Rupert street,
Soho, at seven. this evening. There
is an emergency meeting, and there
may be an ordeal from which you need
not shrink. Knock twice and say,
The Cause.
VELAzzIo."
That was il in double envelope,
dropped into my letter box early two
days later. ''For your life do not
come near! / read it incredulously
through Over and over again, thrilled
almost into cowardice by the pre-
gnancy of the message. My Nina in
house watched by the police! An
ordeal! l spent that day in perfect
fever of misgiving. Quite dozen
times l started up with the determine
tion of seeing Velnzzio and learning Mt
any cost what had happened since
yesterday, but each time something
held me back. When 6 o'clock came
was in no condition to reflect. set
out mechanically to find 4 Rupert
street.
At seven was standing outside it
"a dull-gray house in an obscure
hk sc
irresolution, and then knocked twice; i;
and almost instantly the door was
opened by beady-eyed foreigner.
"The Cause" 1 whispered. Next
moment / was cropping along the
gloomiest, stillest passage imaginable.
The man--where was he? Where was
the meeting? / was conscious of a
burning heat breaking out over me.
"Quick, this way, iriendr'
1t came, muffied sound, from the
end of the passage. Holding my
breath, walked forward, seeing moth
ing, till suddenly my arm was grasped
by man who, l take it, had been
standing behind a curve in the wall.
l was swung round, and heard door
creak at my back. Then-a thick,
husky voice was close at my ear.
"Why we should trust an English
man, know not, but Velazzio insists.
So listen! We have one test only,
and it Is usually enough. In the
darkened room behind you, twenty
feet by eighteen, waits man, chosen
by lot, and armed with a knife pre-
cisely like this" was just family
conscious that my fingers had closed
over handle, and no more. "He is
preparing to risk his life for the safety
of the cause, and You yours. Courage!
1t need not be duel to the death, nor
even to a wound; should you cry out
Enough! you may go as you came, on
a condition which Velaz2io says you
fully understand. In each case, the
door will be opened in five minutes.
But remember your opponent will
strike if he camp
| 10 ,,nx, 1x,snr, 1o,, an,,l1 ..u..x