The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-07


Yet, II could reach the cellars"
-absently. Then bit my tongue.
Cellars? Who said anything about
cellars? I meant that this is not the
hour for unmasking or disclosing
+ ones identity, -coldly.
And yet, when Caesar whispered
Beware the ten of hearts, you turned
and shuddered. What have you to
offer in defense?"
IT was the horrid mask he wore" +"
We'll. it wasn't handsome of him. .
What did you mean by cellars? -
suddenly becoming the inquisitor in
her turn.
Il? Oh. was thinking what l
should do in case of fire, e,'-nimbly.
That is not the truth"
Well. no. 1t isn't Can you keep a
secret?" | whispered
IF ii isn't terrible one
Well, | have no earthly business
here. am an i:npostor."
AN impostor!"
Yes. And for the past few min
utes since i heard of the robbery, I've
been thinking how | could get out OF
here upon the slightest notice" While
the reckless spirit was upon me, pro-
dlsced the fatal card and showed the
back to her You will lind that yours
is of different color. But l am not
the Galbping Dick: 1t was only a
hare-brained lark on my part, and l
had no idea it would turn out serious
like this l was going to disappear
before they unmasked. What would
you advise me to do?'
She took the card. studied it. and
finally returned it. There followed an
interval of silence.
Il have known the imposition from
the first" she said
What
She touched the signet-ring on my
little finger. Il have seen that once
before tonight. No" she mused, you
will not blow up the postofiice tonight
nor the police station"
She lifted the corner of her mask,
and l beheld the girl | had met in
Mouquin's!
"You?"
Silence! So this is the meaning
of your shutting those cards? Oh, it
is certainly droll!" She laughed.
And are you Miss Hawthorne?"
Il am still in the mask. sir; shall
answer none of your questions"
ssrTbic &c bn Hnact " ha
world!" cried
You were talking about getting
out" she said. Shall lend you my
domino? But that would be useless.
Such prestidigitator as Signor Fan
toecini has only to say-Presto! and
disappear at once"
Il assure you. 1t is 10 laughing mat
ter"
Il see ii from different angle"
An artists model, and yet guest at
this exclusive function?
A commotion around the stage dis
tracted us. Presently we saw Teddy
Hamilton mount the stage and hold up
his hands.
Attention, ladies and gentlemen"
he called.
Silence gradually fell upon the mote
ly groups of masqueraders.
"A thief is among US. have had
all the exits closed. Everybody will
be so kind as TO present cards at the
main entrance. Three ten-spots of
hearts have been tailed on the COM
pairing lists. We have been imposed
upon. The police are on the way.
Very sorry to cause you this annoy
ance TIE identity of the holders of
the cards will be known only to those
of us on the committee"
Silence and then a murmur which
soon became buzzing like that of
many bees
The Blue Domino suddenly clutched
my arm.
Please take me away, take me
away at once, I'm an impostor, too"
Two of US,
This was disaster. give you my
solemn word, there was nothing re-
GREETED so much as the fact that
hadn't gone to the theater.
But | am man of quick thought
and resource. In the inelegant phras-
ing of the day. me for the cellars!
Come said l to the girl; there's
only once chance in a hundred, but
Wen take it together"
Together? Where?"
Why to the cellars. I've pocket
full of matches. We can make a try.