The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-12-11
CHAPTER XVII.
Plots.

upon which Pedro first learned Of
Hills disappearance, and shutting the
studio door behind him, sailed forth
in the wake of the anxious Guneviere,
the ground floor of the Muldoon place
house served to stage curious scene.
1t was past eight o'clock when the
first actor appeared, and, entering the
large, old-fashioned parlor, proceeded
to light the lamp upon the center
table. 1t was Rowe, or Ricardo VAL
dez himself, and the anxious manner
in which he glanced at the clock be-
trayed the fact that he was expecting
the arrival of some one. After he had
settled the light to his satisfaction he
went to a small safe that occupied one
corner of the room, and taking key
from his watchchain, worked the COM
bination, and presently swung open
the heavy door.
He knelt before the open safe, and
looking documents, proceeded to COM
pare one Of them with another which
he took from his breast pocket. The
comparison seemed to satisfy him, for
presently he put all back in their
pigeonhole, including that which he
had been carrying, and then looked
at the clock again. 1t still wanted a
moment or two to the hour Of his ap-
pointment, and he utilized these to
place in security considerable sum
of money in bank notes. Then the
doorbell tinkled, and, hastily locking
mons.
The man who stood, hat in hand, at
the entrance was none other than he
who, in disguise Of wayfarer. had at
tempted to rob Iris on the lonely road
that autumn day, long past. Now he
was shaved, garbed in the inconspicu-
GUS clothing Of respectabiItty, and it
would have taken a second glance to
tell the chance observer that the face
was untrustworthy. Rowe made a
welcoming gesture, and the man
stepped in, laying aside his outer gar
ments.
I am the first, see," said he in the
same language. "Why do we meet
here? Is it safer"
"Hill may be missed" explained
Rowe, "and we are certainly being
watched. Consequently this place Is
safer than any other. To all appear
ances it will merely be an evening
party. Any news?"
"Yes," said the other, Il have some
thing for you"
Give it to me before the others
come" said Rowe nervously. "It is
from Venezuela, of course"
Certainly" said the other, ''and
fortunate it is for you, my friend, that
am in the employ of the post Office of
the United States. Otherwise it is
scarcely likely that the millionaire as
phalt contractors greetings from the
Venezuelan government would come
into your hands"
You are we'll paid" retorted Rowe.
"and in the future you shall be paid
even better, but of that later. Let me
see what they say. Of late it has been
very difficult to alter the communica-
tions in such a way as to render them
sufficiently antipathetic. They are
growing rather friendly toward him,
and on several occasions I have been
obliged to suppress letters entirely.
That one which you allowed to reach
him was nearly fatal to our plans"
"But you repaired the damage!"
with infinite risk and pains!" re-
torted Rowe. Although 1 have opened
and altered so many epistles both Of
his and theirs and have become pretty
expert. You must remember that the
man we are dealing with at this end,
at least, is no fool"
"Yes, Vanderpool is no fool" agreed
the man.
Hush! No names, beg!" warned
Rowe, "and lower your voice, my
friend" Then he continued in more
composed tone. 'It is essential that
he should go on believing that we are
necessary to his success. Once he dis
covered that the Venezuela secretary
of commerce would be willing to treat
with him direct, we should lose our
chances of improving our fortunes!
But come, let us see your latest find!"
The man fished for moment in the
inside pocket of his coat, and then
brought out a letter similar in appear
ance to those that Rowe had concealed
in the safe The latter took it eagerly,
and examined the seal. Then. going
to the alcove, where a number of
dishes and arrangements for light
housekeeping were slowed, he lighted
an alcohol burner Of great power.
After heating a small instrument in
the almost Invisible fame, he skilfully
removed the seal and in another mo-
ment the letter lay open before him.
As he read, the crease between his
eyes deepened. Then his face cleared.
This will give little troubled" he
exclaimed "'Can' must be changed to
cannot and there is senty Of space