Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-12

"Then drag him in. Perhaps we'll have
leave to dispatch him presently
mony. Ellerey was dragged by his feet
across the floor into a room. The door was
shut again, and some one produced lam
tern.
Ellerey found himself lying in bare room
with seven or eight men standing in cir
Gle round him. regarding him with sullen
and angry looks, yet with curiosity and
some respect; and on more than one face
there were marks Of the struggle, savage
flushes that would blacken tomorrow, and
blood on lips. He looked from one to the
other, but saw no face he recognized. yet
they were not such a murderous set of
scoundrels as he had expected to see. and
although more than one of them, perhaps.
would have taken the keenest pleasure in
burying a knife blade in him to revenge the
hurt he had received, it appeared evident
that some consideration held them back.
Whatever they contemplated doing murder
was not their intention.
ut takes lot to knock the sense out of
you" said one man, and Ellerey thought he
recognized the voice which had ordered him
to be dragged into the room; land there
are one or two of us who have something to
settle. That must wait for a more con-
venient season."
IF am to make fight for it. it certainly
must" said Ellerey. with smile. Il sup
pose It's no use asking you to loosen my
wrist little The. cord is very tight
Not a bit of use''
in this way? I should like to see the little
hussy who deceived me-"
The men laughed.
She's safe bait, is a woman. all the
ones finished her part of the business well
enough. Now our parts have got to be
done Some time tonight you received
token. We want it,
You are welcome to any token / re-
ceived," Ellerey answered
Give it me, then"
Because I received none" Ellerey added
That's lie" said one man.
ut is well for you that am bound hand
and foot" said Ellerey quietly. IF I re-
member your face, may ask you to repeat
that some day.
81 ask you again to give me the token YOU
received tonight. Once it is in my hands.
you are free to depart" said the spokes-
man.
And I repeat that received no token to-
night" answered Ellerey.
Search him. cried several voices. and at
gesture from their leader they fell on
their knees beside him.
1t was rough handling Ellerey received for
the next few minutes. His coat was torn
open; rough hands were thrust into his
pockets. and even his undergarments were
rent apart lest by any means he should have
secured the token next his skin.
There is nothing they said. rising to
their feet one by one. The last man knelt
a moment longer and turned an evil eye to-
ward his chief.
May it not happen by an accident?" he
said. "An accident would be forgiven, and
1t would be much safer
The dim light shone on the keen blade
the man had ripped eagerly from his girdle,
and Ellerey doubted whether the chiefs
word would have power to him.
whether, indeed it would be spoken. His
salvation came from quite an unexpected
quarter.
"Why that knife. Nicolai?' said voice
which caused the man to spring to his feet.
oyo1 do ft,rr, &c hoo
would dare to dsobey my commands
Nicolai? Stand aside. I have no faith in
YOU
The ruffian skunk back into the shadows of
the room without word. Elerey was as
tonished that so mild reprmand should
have great an effect. He looked at the
dim figure. which the mean light of the Ian
tern revealed; a womans figure, closely
cloaked from head to foot. while an ample
scarf was wound round her head and her
face hidden by a siken mask. She had en-
tered by door somewhat behind him, and
he and the man who was SO DESTROYS of
killing him We're the last to become aware
of her presence.
Have you found it?'' she demanded af-
ter pause.
No; he declares no token was given At
any rate. it is not upon him. answered the
man who was in charge of the ruffians.
The woman took the lantern from the man
who carried it, and. she held it up. saw
more distinctly the faces of the men about
her.
He has given you trouble, it seems. You
bear marks of the conflict Eight of you
And two on the stairs who have not yet
recovered said one
He should be a good man. then. for
hazardous enterprise and the woman bent
down. holding the lantern low to look into
Ellery's face.
Ellerey could see the eyes through the
holes in the silk mask. but they told him
nothing. He had hardly noticed the eyes
of the woman who had stopped him at the
corner of the Altstrasse; he did not know
whether they were the same. This woman
seemed taller; yet there was familiar ring
in her voice. She gazed at him for some
moments in silence, and then. standing
erect. handed the lantern to one of the men.
Behing the mask she smiled
your cut-throats, madam. have made
mistake. l have no token said Eilerey.
DO any of you know this man. she
asked. turning to her followers.
"A foreigner growled one.
"A soldier said another
"A kings man." said third land better
put out of the way. if I may advise
You would be as Nicolai yonder. under
Have care. I shall know how to deal
with the first man who disobeys me-
Was this the queen? Ellerey thought she
must be, half believing he recognized some
thing familiar in her manner. Was this her
method of proving his daring before she
fully trusted him?
you have no token?" she said, address
INF Illerey
mo, madam.
yet you went on secret mission to the
Altstrasse tonight?
II went openly"
Openly! To visit whom"
Surely. one who lives in the Altstrasse,"
Ellerey answered.
And were graciously entertained"
II ate and drank. madam. and both food
and drink seemed to me of excellent quail
ity."
And afterward?'
I'VE talked"
Monsieur De Froilette. you. and"
Yes, madam, we talked and smoked, but
the matter of the token surprises me. I
heard no word of such thing mentioned"
Il am inclined to believe you" she an
swered. You have not yet been sufficiently
proved
Il would bow my thanks for your compli-
ment, were able. / make but sorry pic
ture at the moment. fear, but my ragged
and hardly respectable appearance you will
excuse. May / know to whom I am in
debted for this adventure?'
Not yet. / may have need of you again"
AN invitation less hastily devised would
please me BETTER" said Ellerey. IT am not
rich enough to adventure such good gar
ments as these often"
"A bullet would certainly have made less
havoc with them, Capt. Ellerey," she re-
turned.