The Washington herald., 1914-04-09

his hand, displaying the ring on his
finger.
.sThe Ruby circie-where did you get
lit?" she gasped.
Carlton explained. pleading with her TO
believe him. Her expression changed from
I lncredulity 20 amazement and anxiety.
"Then YOU must leave at once" she
| exclaimed. They will find you out,
and"
But as she spoke the wall parted and
Cartons mysterious companion beckoned
] him. He thought he heard sob OF
anguish as he followed. But IL was too
late to retreat: Ions. dark robe had
been flung over his shoulders. and he
was conducted into a narrow, dimly
illumined room in which about thirty
men and women. all garbcd In long.
dark robes, were seated around table.
They rose and bowed In grim solemnity
as Carlton and his guide entered.
"our missing brother announced his
companion.
..rhe embIemr' cried man at Carl
| toms side. and intuitively he displayed
| the ring.
And the pass word" continued the
man.
Carlton stared helplessIy at the solemn
figures, wishing that something human
and vital would shatter the death-like
monotony of the scene. He knew that
his mad search for mystery and adven-
ture had brought him into trap from
which he might not escape.
"The pass word"' repeated the man.
Carlton fidgeted uneasily under the scru-
| tiny of inquisitive eyes, and then a sui
len murmur broke from the assembly.
| Fanatic hatred cleaned in the eyes OF
the people about him, and Carlton knew
he could expect no mercy from them
whispered consultation was held and
then a man who had occupied central
place In the group advanced
THE Society for the Advancement OF
Human Liberty has become convinced
that you are a spy and that you must
| be punished accordingly" he said. You
will follow me-"
| But Carlton was determined 10 resist
as long as an ounce of fighting strength
Remained. He flung himself upon the
nearest of the darkrobed brothers, but
after a furious explosion of well-trained
muscles he found himself pinned to the
floor and a tangle of taut ropes cut into
| his flesh. He was dragged from the
room and thrown into a small, vaulted
chamber. Only the leader OF the brother
hood remained. He pointed to a clock.
1T is now fifteen minutes OF eleven.
he said 'In ten minutes bomb will
explode and the socIety's decree will be
executed"
He stole away. and fear such as he
had never before experienced crept upon
Carlton From somewhere in the dark
chamber came a slow, regular ticking.
He wriggled furiously. but the ropes
cut only the deeper into his bleeding
flesh. The tick-tick of the murderous
machine grew louder and louder until
1t beat upon his ears with the force of
bursting shells. Five minutes had passed.
In five more
Carlton shuddered with the dread of
one who waits certain disaster without
being able to raise an arm. Then his
struggles ceased. and he lay limp and
numb on the icy floor and still the tick
| ing clock roared in his ears.
Some one was fumbling with the lock
key was inserted: rusty hinges creaked.
Carlton waited breathlessly. The heavy
door opened slowly and groaningly. and
the girl stepped into the chamber. A
bit of steel quivered in her hand and
with a few deft strokes she severed the
cords that fettered him.
Rum she cried. and he staggered to
his feet and followed. Presently fresh air
famed his face. He looked at the girl