The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-10-30

manipulated the latch and admitted
himself.
The little hall was stuffy and Ill
lighted by a single gas-burner In
wire cage, and from the rear room
| came the odor of cooking. But it was
| not these facts that caused the man
to stop short, the crease between his
, eyes deepening as he stood listening
In the hall above Leigh's footsteI
could be plainly heard. The man be
low approached the staircase with ABB
| solute noiselessness, and ascending
| part way managed to get good look
at the sculptor without allowing him
self to be seen. All unconscious, the
latter continued to tramp up TOWARD
| the attics, and with muttered oatn
| quickly suppressed, the watcher re
| turned to the basement as cautiously
as he had ascended. At the door OF
the front room he tapped discreetly
and after brief interval during which
there was a scurrying sound within
and the muffied closing of some 1nte-
rior door, that before which he stood
was opened a crack while smooth
voice, with only slight foreign &C
cent, inquired who was without.
"It is only me. Open up, Ricardo,
replied the man in the hall. At which
the door was thrown back, revealing
tall, bearded man who waved an
invitation to enter.
"Ah, Yznaga!" he exclaimed IN
Spanish. $50 1t is thou! Enter, my
friend, but beg you will remember
that in this house 1 am Mr.. Rowe.
Such exclamations, however, cordial,
must not be made in the public halls" "
Ever cautious!" exclaimed the Wis
itor. Now l am not even to speak
aloud! Well, you are wise! l obey"
He seated himself beside the table
and mopped his face with thin silk
handkerchief A fine figure of a man,
almost noble In bearing. and excep'
tionally we'll dressed beneath his
shabby overcoat. Rowe brought out
glasses and a decanter, pouring for
his guest and himself.
"The house is at your disposal" he
said, after the Spanish manner. Then,
this formal courtesy discharged. he
leaned anxiously toward the other.
did you see him?" he asked.
Yznaga nodded.
81 did"
"And he will buy the necessary ar
maments?"
"Yes, but he is a hard customer,
that Van
Hush! Not that name, above all
others! implored the host. THAT he
will pay is all need to heart"
He will pay for them," responded
Yznaga. Moreover, he is no fool,
and intends dealing through me only
as an agent. No cash! But we shall
arrange the estimate and the bid in
such a way as to retain a little for
ourselves, eh?"
mo, our wealthy patron would be
difficult to defraud. He is man to
whose capability make my bow! And
his caution! BY the way" he added
abruptly, who lives on the top floor
Of this building?"
"a painter by the name of Samuel
Hill," replied Rowe, IAN easy-going
young man. He's the landlord"
Have you any acquaintance with
him."
mo more than is absolutely neces-
sary!"
"Ah! your exclusiveness! Sometimes
1 think that it is a mistake-that 1t
will attract attention! But Of that.
later. Tell me, Is this landlord Of
yours a tall, homely fellow?'
mo-" said Rowe, why do you ask p
know and l were parting just now,
such a person interrupted us, whether
Intentionally or not, cannot tell. But
he recognized Wander - recognized
him, of that much l am certain. And
what is more, he followed me to this
house and is upstairs at this moment
For a moment Rowe glared at the
other with an expression Of intent
alarm. Then his features relaxed.
"a great, tall fellow, did you say?"
he mused. Then a light broke upon
him. "a giant, with long face and
ungainly carriage; that would be
Leigh, the sculptor, a great friend Of
the landlord And he would know him,
also! No need to worry about that.
AS for his following you, that was
mere coincidence. He comes here to
visit Hill almost daily"
"You relieve my mind, Rowe" re-
piled Yznaga, lighting a cigarette.
"And now for our project He-of-whom-
you-know refuses absolutely to commit
himself on paper. He will spend, yes!
1t is for a great purpose. in a noble
cause! But he will sign nothing!
What have we to hold him by?"
"The money he spends!' replied
Rowe grimly.
"Will that suffice? This business is
against the law. you know, and"
Il have something that will hold
him." replied Rowe. Il still have the
thing by means Of which l first inter
ested him!"
(Which is?" said the other sugges-
lively.
Rowe laughed, an unpleasant laugh
that was characteristic of him, and
reached for the wine.
THAT, my simple friend, am not
going to reveal" said he politely But
it's efficacy you need not doubt. Has
it not suficed so far? Why should
you doubt that it will work in the fu-
ture, until we have sucked this simple
American gentleman dry? Paugh!
hold him in the hollow Of my hand,"
so you possess knowledge of some
secret that he fears the exposure of!
All ! suspected as much"
Il have not said so,' replied Rowe,
smiling confidently at the end of his
cigarette. BE content, Yznaga, that
my knowledge serves it's purpose"
And serves to keep you leader of
this enterprise!" snapped the visitor.
Very well. Have it as you will!
Thank the blessed saints you have no
hold over mel / should dislike to
find myself In those nicotine-stained
fingers Of yours, amigo mio!"
rpnrhono in