The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-05

His Newport companion enlightened
him, between puffs of the pipe he WIS
struggling with. Here's where we
say good bye. young fellow. We tTrn
you over 10 these gents, whoever they
are. I'm sort of out of II when they
get to jabberin' among themselves. 1
can understand 'em when they talk
slow, but, say, did you ever hear a
flock OF Union Square sparrOws chirp
faster than them fellers is talkin'
nOW2 Nix. You 90 into the village gay
with these Schwabs by the sewer line,
I guess. TTuXtOn priCked up his ears.
"The old man has had a hole chopped
In the sewer here, they tell me, and
it's snap TO get into the city. Not
very clean or neat, but il gets you
there. Well, so lOngI They're ready,
1 see. They don't monkey long when
they've got q thing to do. I'd advise
you not TO be too stubborn Whe3
they get you to headquarters; it may
go easier with you. I'm not so damned
bad, young Teller. It's JUST the bust
ness I'm in--and the company"
King felt thrill OF real regard for
the rascal! He nodded his thanks and
tried to smile. The fellow grinned
and slapped him on the shoulder, un-
observed b. the others. In another
moment his guardianship was trans
ferred; he was being hurried across
the cellar toward an open doorway.
Down a few steps he was led by the
bearded crew, and then pushed
through a hole In what appeared to
be heavy brick wall. He realized at
once where he was. The gurgle Of
running water, the OdOr of foul airs
came up TO him. 1t was the great
sewer that ran from the hills through
the heart of The city, flushed coz
tinuously by diverted mountain
stream that swept down from above.
He was wading in cold water over
a slippery bottom, tightly held by two
men, the third going ahead with the
lantern Always ahead doomed the
black, opaque circle which never came
wa
ever receding wall of darkness.
He did not know how long they tray
ersed the chill sewer In this fashion. In
time, however, the water got deeper;
the circle or to swim frantically on in
front Of the dlsturbers. The smells
were sickening, overpowering. Only ex-
element, curiosity, youth-whateVer you
going. The everlasting glory of youth
never ends until old age has provit ed
the surfeit OF knowledge; the strife 80
see ahead, 10 find out what IS 10 be, TO
know-that IS youth. Youth dies when
curiosity ends. The emotion is even
stronger than the dread Of what may
lie beyond IN the pallid sea Of I'M
certainty.
his bones were chilled and creaklng
with fatigue He was remorseiessly
hungry. There was water, but he could
not drink Il.
At last the strange journey ended.
lDeN came 10 q meme IN the SHINY wall
Up into this the msn climbed. dragging
him after them. The man above was
cautiously tapping on what appeared
TO be solid masonry To Kings sur
prise a section Of the wall suddenly
opened before them. He was seized
from above by strong hands aud liter
ally ierked through the hole, fiis COM
paniOus. following. Up narrow steps,
through q sour-smelllng passage and
then. into a long, dimly lighted room.
fin the center Of which stood long
table.
He was not permitted to linger here
for long but passed on into small
room adjoining Some one, speaking in
English told him 10 sit down. The
gag was removed from HIS stiff, IN
famed mouth.
Fetch him some water" said a voice
that he was sure he recognized-a high'
uuerelous voice.
"HeIIo, spantz," articulated Truxton,
! turning TO the black bearded. bent
/ figure
/ The Continuation OF This StOry VIII
BE Found In TOnOrrOW's
Issue OF The Times.