The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-25
THE SIGNAL OF DEATH

and no small share, either. I beQueath
all that Is In here 10 you, yet / am
by no means leaving empty handed.
Rest assured Of that
Toms enjoyment in the beautiful
things around him faded as though
smitten with a sudden frost. The pic
( lures and hangings and brlc-a-brac
which but a moment before had excited
! his admiration all at once seemed to his
eyes smeared and red with blood.
Let us get down to business" he
said steTnly.
10 YOU before. we have 40 time 10
waste"
The leader still retaining the somber
trappings which so effectually concealed
/ has person, drew up another chair TO
the fireplace and seated himself.
THE one thing which lends even
color of favor 90 our sCherse, he said,
the single feature. indeed, which rend-
ers II an even conceivable hazard, Is
the regulation of the tong forbiGding
any member to inquire into the Identity
of his associates or 70 reveal his own
a measure framed both to guard against
treachery and also to preclude the turn
/ ing Of States evidence by some coward
who might fall into the hands of the
police.
Il have no time now to describe to
you all the safeguards and precautions
by which the rule is enforced, you
must take my word that It is so.
Upon his initiation eacn new mem
| Der assumes d mask and gown like
mine, and masked and SOWned he must
remained Throughout his connection
with the society when taking any part
/ in its activity.
4 guised voices, these men assemble at
! their meetings and join in carrying out
1 the mandates of the organization. one
| may be affiliated with them Tor me-
/ time, and never know thai the neigh
| Dor who sits at his right hand in the
| cOnclaVe or helps him act as eXecutioner
/ 10 some helpless wretch Is his own
! brother OF father.
This regulation, a highly necessary
| one. as you may imagine % a society
! organized for murder, ROBBERY ana
/ blackmail, you and / will now use to
/ blind their eyes"
"Ah, I begin TO see your drift, cried
/ Tom you mean that even to see me
! unmasked would not necessarily arouse
| their doubt, provided I play my part
/ acceptably in other respects?
Exactly. AS I told you, no one here
| has ever seen my face. Even the spies
! who dog my footsteps whenever | 90
| abroad have no idea of my real appear
| ance.
| iSee these" He threw open a closet
4 to display up0n the shelves an array
/ ike tie stock Of a theatrical costumer
wigs. false WhiskeTs, false noses, spec
| tacles, all the parapheTnalla Of make
ain my visits to the upper world he
/ explained, II invariably masc uerade.
and il is upon this fact that Tow rely
| TO make my getaway.
] watching my chance today. | shah
slip out of my disguise, and by appear
] ing suddenly in my own person. throw
/ Ehe spies into confusion. They VIII
| come racing back here to report ana
/ set the machinery on foot for my ap-
/ prenensiOn. but finding you installed
| viii suppose / have simply prayed d
/ trick uu0n them and for shame's sake
! viii keep silent
"As ] tell you, I have long planned
this step, and have simply been WaiunB
! for a man who could assume the role
/ IN order 10 put it into execution. To-
/ night, as soon as FAY eyes fell upon
! you / knew the right man had arrived.
| I'm this little book I have set down
briefly an the points YOU viii require
/ for your guidance. and recommend you
/ TO its earnest study and Derusal. Today
/ Won viii only need to SHOW yOurseIf
I,once or twice in order to ailay suspi-
/ ciOn. and ] advise you to put in all your
! leisure for both our sakes at the learn
ing of your lesson"
4 Rising. he stepped toward the door
and laid his hand upon the knob
Surely you're not going TO leave me
/ vet" cried Tom, in dismay. There
are a thousand things I have to ask
Il am afraid 7 must. Time presses,
you know. 30 iong, and good luck 70
'aThe door clicked behind him, and the
! alone.
The Continuation of This story VIII