The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-11-19

He pointed with his finger at the win
dow.
Look, look" he cried. They looked.
A long thin. gristly brown arm with
long olawllke fingers. thrust itself
through the window and thrust a fold
cd piece Of paper into the breast
pocket OF Joe Welcher's coat. Joe
sprang to his feet. erouched terror
stricken In the corner, shielding his
face with his arm. His three cronies
leAped TO the window. and looked out.
There was a moon. But there was no
one to be seen. The owner OF the
hand and arm had disappeared. Weloh-
er, coming to himself. oiutohed at the
note, and unfolded It and read.
My Charming Friend: (It sald)
Once more I have returned from New
York. stay at Lonesome Cove Inn.
Meet me there tomorrow afternoon
perhaps should say--thls afternoon
at three. II Is OF Importance. When
you come, Inquire for lnez Castro
have used that name In order that
certain mutual friends might not hear
Of II. AS ever,
irene courtlsr.
That afternoon at three Lonesome
Cove-three miles north OF Seaport
was graced by the presence OF Joe
Welcher. Welcher made a bee line
for the cafe and properly spiced up
HIS breath before proceeding TO keep
the rendezvous. Then he approached
Mulligan, the Ill favored proprietor.
you got a certain party here Of the
name OF Inez Costro," whispered
Welcher to Mulligan.
whats that to you" said Mulllgan.
Welcher produced his note-the note
produced an unusual effect upon Mul-
ligan. He dropped his surliness, and
with a wink beckoned to Welcher,
leading him down a dim corridor. GO
up that there staircase" he command
ed, "and knock at Number Seven"
81 sent for you" Inez began, that
you should do a favor for ne"
Welcher seized her hand. That was
his undoing. In a moment she was in
his arms, struggling. He kissed her
full upon the lips.
"ITl go to hen and back for you" he
said. Struggling, she half screamed
Then something happened. Unknown
to Weloher, the door of Room Seven
opened noiselessly, and well dressed
man, with a saber cut across his face,
entered on tiptoe. He closed the door
behind him, and stood there, watching
the struggle, silent, sinister.
Suddenly Inez screamed. She re-
leased herself from Welcher's arms
and reeled against the table, her eyes
wide with fright.
"My-my husband" she gasped. She
held out her hands pleadingly toward
the newcomer. Welcher covered in
abject terror.
ut was uothing-nothing," gaspea
Inez, "a bit of play-nothing else-be-
lieve me-"
Hernandez smiled-a wicked smile.
He never looked at Inez. He glared at
Joey Welcher.
so l see," he said, "a bit of play"
He whistled. The door opened once
again. Two figures entered-the brute
and Ponto. Hernandez gave a sign
and the brute picked Joe WelCher up, |
whirled him in the air, and brought |
him down seated at the table. This |
was the added finishing touch to make
Joe realize his helplessness. Herman
dez clapped his hands and the brute |
left the room. Ponto, the fat Mexi- |
can, curled himself up underneath the |
table. Hernandez seated himself.
"a bit of play" laughed Hernandez,
harshly. Then his brow furrowed with |
wrinkles, his eyes became stern.
Young sir" he said, your foster |
sister is one Annette Ellington. You |
live in the same house with her. She |
has in her possession a small oilskin |
packet-a yellow packet - possibly |
you've seen it?"
He waited for an answer Joe mois- |
tened his dry lips and nodded.
"Well and good" went on Herman
dez, that packet is mine-it belongs
to me. You shall steal IL from her
steal it for me. You understand"
Hernandez smiled, Then his face
froze. His hand darted forward and
he clutched Welcher by the wrist
"My young friend" went on Herman
dez, you are a crook. have watched
you from first to last. Always have
watched you. l watched you while
you made love to my young wife this
day. / watched you when you stole
her money from her a week or so
ago"
"Give me a drink" cried Welcher,
"go on. What do you want me to dor
First" returned Hernandez, SAY
nothing to anyone-about me or my
compandons--nor about Inez here
nothing. To you we are as a sealed
book. Break silence and-well, my
ancestors were of the Spanish inquisi-
ton, my young friend. Silence comes
first. Next, get that packet. l care
not by what means-and bring 1t to
me at the time and place shall here
after designate. Now go. Tonight.
you nderstand-tonight."
That night, Welcher, fully dressed,
and tossing in his restless bed, heard
the tap-tap of pebbles on his window.
Startled, he rose and peered without
The sky was cloudless and the moon
hree-quarters-by its rays he saw
three crouching figures-shadows of
the night. One of these figures held
up white hand Welcher responded
with a silent signal; and then drew
back into his room. He drew from his
pocket a pint flask and drank deep,
He smoked cigarette, taking quick.
swift, strong puffs and inhaling deeply
he needed strength. He waited un.