Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-11-22

thousand dollars.
"Merciful heavens"
1T is true Internally true, look
ing around to see IL by chance Caesar
had reappeared on the scene. (How
was | to manage my escape? II is
true might HE me to the cellars; but
how to get out OF the cellarsD Have
you seen julius Caesar" ! asked.
Caesar"
YES, Miss Hawthorne"
The Blue Domino swung about and
leaned toward me. her hands tense
upon the sides of her chair
What name did you say?"-a
strained note in her voice.
Hawthorne" answered, taking
out the slip of pasteboard. See! it
says that one blue domino was rented
of Monsieur FIfard at five-thirty this
afternoon"
How did you come by that ticket?"
she demanded.
ut was a miracle. purchased a
mask there, and this ticket was
wrapped up in my bundle by mistake"
ut is a curious coincidence" her
voice normal and unagitated
was confused. Then 7 am mis-.
taken ?"-my chagrin evident. (All
this while, mind you. I was wonder.
ing II that cellardoor was unlocked,
and how long it would take me to
reach 1t before the denouementD
One way or the other, It does not
matter" said she.
Yet, II l could reach the cellars"
-absently. Then bit my tongue.
"Cellars2 Who said anything about
cellars? l meant that this is not the
hour for unmasking or d.srlos
ones identity, "-coldly
And yet, when Caesar whls.'.
Beware the ten OF hearts, you tuti.
and shuddered. What have YOU u
offer In defense?"
1T was the hor;id mask he wore"
We'll, 1t wasn't handsome of. him"
What did you mean by cellars?"-
suddenly becoming the inquisitor in
her turn.
Il? oh, l was thinking what |
should do in case Of fire, "-nimbIy.
mat is not tn9 truth.
We'll, no. it isn't Can you keep =
secret?" l whispered.
IF 1t isn't a terrible one"
We'll, l have no earthly business
here. l am an impostor."
An impostor!"
Yes. And for the past few min
utes, since heard of the robbery, I've
been thinking how ] could get out of
here upon the slightest notice" While
the reckless spirit was upon me. pro-
dtced the fatal card and showed the
back to her. You will find that yours
is of different color But am not
the Galloping Dick; it was only a
hare-brained lark on my part, and
had no idea it would turn out serious
like this. | was going to disappear
before they unmasked. What would
You advise me TO do?"
She took the card, studied ii, and
finally returned it. There followed an
interval Of silence.
# have known the imposition from
the first, she said.
What"
She touched the signeI-ring on my
little finger, II have seen that once
before tonight No" she unused, you
will not blow up the postofiice tonight |
nor the police station"
She lifted the corner OF her mask, !
and | beheld the girl had met in |
Mouquin's!
"You?"
Silence! So thIs is the meaning |
Of your shufiiing those cards? Oh, 1t
is certainly droll!" She laughed
"And are you Miss Hawthorne?"
81 am still in the mask, sir; | shall |
answer none of your questions"
This is the finest romance in the
world" cried.
You were talking about getting
out" she said. Shall | lend you my
domino? But that would be useless. |
Such a prestidigitatOr as Signor Fan
toccini has only to say-Presto! and
disappear at once"
Il assure you. it is no laughing mat
ter"
II see 1t from a different angle"
An artists model, and yet guest at
this exclusive function?
A commotion around the stage dis
tracted us. Presently we saw Teddy
mount the Stage and hold up
MS hands.
Attention. ladies and gentlemen!"
ne called.
Silence gradually fell upon the motto
y groups Of masqueraders.
"A thief is among us. | have had
III the exits closed. Everybody will
De so kind as to present cards at the
main entrance. Three ten-spots of
hearts have been tailed on the COM
,aring lists. We have been imposed
lpon. The police are on the way.
Very sorry to cause you this annoy
nee. The identity Of the holders Of
he cards will be known only to those
Il us on the committee" .,~.
Silence and then q murmur which
Don became buzzing Ike that OF
many bees.