Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-12
THEY'RE sound asleep."

They're sound asleep
please, please, don't wake them" she
implored. land promise me that you will
tell them nothing Of How long have
you been watching"
I've seen the whole show.
You won't disclose what you've seen.
then, will you? 1 ask it as great favor.
Apart from that there's nothing you
can do for me. unless She paused
refectively. eff you would care
"Of course Id care" the impetuous
Irishman assured her CALAMITY.
II came here under a Misrepresentation.
and the two men you saw seized me as
soon as ] entered the door downstairs.
and-I've lost letter / had with me. /
don't want them or any one else to get
hold of it. / must have dropped 1t just
at the door. Do you think you could find
it for me-without letting any one know?"
Dennis hesitated. and was lost
''Ill find it for you,' he asserted. posi-
lively. and had his reward in a shy
glance of gratitude from two enhancing
eyes.
''I.ll find it for you. and I'll fetch a
policeman up at the same time. I'll have
those two arrested SO neatly that they'll
scarcely notice.
"Oh. no! Please. no." She urged. des-
perately. You mustn't do that. I'm in
no danger and-you promised me. You
mustn't say a word Of what you've seen
to any one at all. It's to avoid such
needless scandal that I've submitted to so
much. and-yoI won't betray me, will
you?'
Her swift. appealing look was too much
for O'Dare. He did not understand. but
he was altogether at her service.
TN carry out your orders" he assured
her. I'm Off If those two in front
here, will you make noise enough to
wake them? I'll have to leave the door
unlocked"
IN warn them in time" she assented.
I'll sit here till you return. You won't
be long?"
Trust me for that he finished. "Tll
be back before"
He felt his way along the wall as far
as the door. found the key where Corbyn
had laid 1t, and achieved a steaithy
egress. From within the studio Of J.
Gonzalez sounded gruff voices, but other
wise all was STILL He crept downstairs.
and, when a step creaked, stopped to
listen fearfully. but without result.
There were no lights on the lower land
ings; the hallway was black and dark.
He went on blindly toward the door. feel
ing for match, his head too full Of the
grateful glance the girl had given him to
hold any doubts as to the wisdom Of his
enterprise. and hoping for at least a sin
gle smile when he should have accom-
plished his errand.
Il would my name were Benedick since
hers is" he was muttering. when his
romantic musings were abruptly put
an end to. blanket-like covering de-
scended upon his head. mufilins it
pinioned from behind. his ankles held fast
in vise-like grip. When he at last got
his mouth open wide enough to howl for
help, his outcry all but deafened himself
and did not disturb his captors
They bound him with convenient cords
and. lifting him bodily, carried him back
upstairs, treating him none too tenderly
by the way. but he was able to check
their course as far as Gonzaiezs door,
within which he was conveyed and quiet
ly deposited on the floor. He could hear
the soft thud-thud OF several feet but
nothing else. until rough hands removed
In part the wrap about his shoulders
thrust rude gag between his teeth, and
finally, uncovered his face.
Looking irately upward his eyes met
those of Gonzalez. who was inspecting
MIN with blanklS puzzled expression.
SchWeitzer stood at one side. head poised
very like serpent about to strike Op-
poSlte MIN there was group whose faces
ODare could not recall. but none Of them
Impressed him favorably BLACK Hands"
was his mental summary of their most
probable profession.
They seemed TO be discussing him un-
favorably also. but in low whispers and
In language which he did not Under
stand; suddenly Gonzalez gave some
order and all but he and Schweitzer left
the room.
The two took hold Of their prisoner and
flung him to one side under a table. out
OF sight. To hide him more completely
they drew down a corner of LIE cloth
which covered 1t.
He lay there helpless while Gonzalez
once more knocked and entered the inner
chamber. The girl within came forth re-
luctantly. Her saoler turned the gas out
followed her and locked the door.
THE senorita's carriage waits" he
said. If she will swear to keep the