The Washington herald., 1912-09-22

you like. It's chance for your friend,
as he's writer, but you'd best keep
out of it if you're in any way nervous"
you said it was quite close" So
grange inquired.
Within yard or two the man re-
piled. Its right this way"
They left the hall with their new
escort. When they looked for their
motor car, they found it had gone.
1T don't do to keep them things
waiting about round here" their new
| friend remarked. carelessly. Il guess
I'll send you back to your hotel all
right. Step this way"
| "By-the-by, what street is this we
are in?' Peter asked.
One Hundredth Street" the man
answered.
Peter shook his head
| I'm a little superstitious about that
number" he declared. rs that an ele-
waited railway there? l think we've had
enough, Sogrange"
| Sogrange hesitated. They were stand
ing now in front of a tall, gloomy
house, unkempt, with broken gate-a
large but miserable-looking abode The
passersby in the street were few. The
whole character of the surroundings
was squalid. The man pushed open the
broken gate.
the elevated" he directed. IF you
amt coming, I'll bid you good night"
Once more they hesitated Peter,
perhaps, saw more than his companion.
He saw the dark shapes lurking under
the railway arch. He knew instinc-
| lively that they were in some sort of
danger. And yet the love OF adventure
was on fire in his blood. His belief
in himself was immense. He whispered
to Sogrange
'1 do not trust our guide" he said.
IF you care 10 risk it l am with you"
Mind the broken pavement" the
man called out. This ain't exactly all
abode OF luxury"
They climbed some broken steps
Their guide opened a door with Yale
key. The door swung TO after them,
and they found themselves in dark
ness. There had been no light in the
windows; there was no light apparent
ly in the house. Their companion pro
duced an electric torch from his pocket
You had best follow me-" he ad-
vised. Our quarters face out the
other way We keep this end looking
little deserted"
They passed through a swing door
and everything was at once changed.
A multitude of lamps hung from the
ceiling, the floor was carpeted. the
walls clean.
I I'VE don't go in for electric light"
their guide explained, 'as we try not
to give the place away. We manage
to keep il fairly comfortable, though"
He pushed open the door and enter
| ed a somewhat gorgeously furnished
| salon. There were signs here OF fem
| inine occupation. an open piano, and
the smell OF cigarettes. Once more
Peter hesitated
Your friends seem to be in hiding"
he remarked. Personally. | am losing
my curiosity
Guess YOU won't have to wait very
long the man replied. wl;h meaning
The room was >uddenlv invaded on
all ,ideS. -Four doors. which were quite
hidden by the pattern OF the wall, had
opened almost simultaneously. and at
least 4 dozen men had entered. This
time both SogranCe and Peter knew
that they were face to face with the
real thing. These were men who came
silently in. not cigarette-Stunted youths
Two of them were in evening dress
three or four had the appearance OF
prize fighters. In their countenances
was one expression common 10 all
an air OF quiet and conscious strength
4 fair-haired man. in dinner Jacket
and black tie. became at once their
spokesman. He was possessed of a |
very slight American accent. and he
beamed al them through pair OF gold
trimmed spectacles.
Gentlemen" he said, Il am glad to
meet you both"
Very kind of YOU. I'm sure" So
grange answered. Our friend here"
he added. indicating their guide. found |
us trying to gain a little insight into |
the more interesting part OF New York !
life He was kind enough TO express |
a wish to introduce US to YOU
The man smiled. He looked very much |
like some studious clerk. except that
his voice seemed to ring with some
latent power.
Il am afraid" he said. that your
friends interest in you was not entire
ly unselfsh For three days he has
carried in his pocket an order instruct
ing him to produce you here"
Il knew it, Peter whispered, under
his breath.
You interest me-" Sogrange replied.
May | know whom l have the honor
OF addressing?"
You can call NE Burr" the man an
nounced. Philip Burr. Your names it
is not own wish to know
Il am afraid | do not quite under
stand" Sograngc said
1T was scarcely to be expected that
YOU should" Mr.. Philip Burr admitted
All l can tell you is that. in cases like
yours. | really prefer not to know with !
whom | have to deal"
you speak as though you had busi-
ness with u.s." Peter remarked.
Without doubt have" the other re-
Piled. grimly. 1T is my business to
see that you do not leave these prem
ises alive"
Sogrange drew up a chair against
which he had been leaning. and sat
down.
Really" he said, that would be most
Peter, too, shook his head, sitting
upon the end OF a sofa and folding his !
arms Something told him that the mo-
ment for fighting was not yet.
"Inconvenient or not" Mr.. Philip
Burr continued, Il have orders to carry
out which can assure you have never
yet been disobeyed since the formation
Of our society. From what | can see
Of you, you appear TO be very amiable
gentlemen, and if it would interest you