Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-15
CHAPTER XII.

Power Of Darkness.
To Orme the next half hour was
very long. He seated himself upon
the floor of the closet and ate the sand
witch which the clairvoyant had brought
him. Occasionally he could hear her
moving about the apartment
Poor charlatan!" he thought. She
IL herself good sort suppose she
excuses the sham Of her profession on
the ground that it deceives many per-
sons into happiness"
He struck another match and looked
again at the ghostly paraphernalia
about him. Near him hung a black
robe with q large hood. He crushed
one Of the folds in his hands and was
surprised to discover how thin it was
and into how small space it could be
compressed. Not far away stood sew
eral pairs of large slippers Of soft
black felt The white robes were also
of thinnest gossamer-fiimsy stuff that
swayed like smoke when he breathed
toward it.
By the light of a third match he
looked more carefully at the other APP
paratus. There was large pair of
angel-wings, of the conventional shape.
The assortment of masks was sufh-
GENTLY varied for the representation of
many types of men and women of
different ages.
The match burned down to his fin
gers, and again he sat in darkness,
wondering at the elaborateness of the
mediums outfit. She was fraud, but
he liked her-yes, pitied her-and he
felt inclined to excuse her in so far as
he could. For the kiss which he had
given her he felt no regret; 1t was
hers. in all innocence, for what of
good she might have found in it.
The minutes dragged by. He thought
of the precious documents, safe in the
inside pocket of his coat. What they
we're, he did not try to determine, but
1t was plain that they must be of in
ternational importance. The talk of
ships and Alcatrante's references to
commissions had puzzled him. But
suddenly came to his mind the news
paper rumors that Japan was secretly
adding vessels to her navy through the
agency of South American republic
which was having cruisers and battle
ships built in Europe. to turn them
over at their completion, to the Japa-
nese. There was, as yet, no interna-
tional proof of this policy, for none Of
the ships had been completed, but the
South American country was certainly
adopting policy of naval construction
81 70
among the powers.
How came the girl to be involved in
this mix-up of nations? Through her
father, of course-but who was he? A
concessionaire? Her courage and de-
termination, employed against shrewd
men, was as notable as the beauty Of
her face and mind. for she was like .
queen In her assured comprehension
How 1t quickened his heart to think
Of her! The poor, faded medium, with
the smolder of old flames in her eyes.
with the records Of hard experience
written on her face, was a child in
stature beside the girl-a child with
yearnings that could never be salts
ned.
Well. the girl had doubted him. He
could not wonder at that, for the facts
were all against him. and she had
known him only few hours. Yet he
had hoped-he had believed-that she
would know the truth and the devotion
in him without further evidence. Per-
haps he had expected too much from
her noble insight. After all-and that
was part of tho loneliness OF her-she
was very human girl.
The panel swung open, and Madam
Ala stood looking down at him. She
spoke in an undertone.
1.-THE Japs are still watching. Arima
is sitting on the fire escape by his
window, and I can hear the other fell
low moving around in the hall outside
my door. think they're on to your
being here"
Orme thought for a minute. 1--WE got
to get away soon," he said II don't
mind telling you that there are papers
that must be delivered before twelve
o'clock tonight"
Can l take them for you?"
II don't know where to tell you to
take them"
She sighed. Il guess you don't trust
me"
Trust you? OF course, do. But the
truth is. Madam Ala, that it is going
to need hard work on my part to find
the person to whom the papers belong.
I don't even know his name" Secretly
he condemned himself now, because he
had not overcome his scruples and
looked at the address on the envelope
while he had the chance.
Again she sighed. WELL" she said,
"of course, it's beyond me. Do you
do you mind my knowing your name?"
Pardon me-" he said. II didn't rea-
lie that you didn't know it already.
My name is Robert Orme."
She looked at him with a smile.
We'll. Mr.. orme, I'll get you out Of
this. think know a way. But
you'll have to do just what tell you. +"
Il depend on yeu," he said.
III 1Af@ LII oHS4 AN~