The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-12-24

WINDOW was lSed-SWlitly nu! Eolss~
lessly, and from without. .- ,a..s 4.
One Of Joe's friends across the table
rose. with terror written on his face.
He pointed with his finger at the win
dow. ..... 49,. 40
Look, look" he cried. They looked.
A long thin, gristly brown arm with
long clawlike fingers, thrust itself
through the window and thrust fold
ed piece of paper into the breast
pocket Of Joe Welcher's coat. Joe
sprang to his feet, crouched terror
stricken in the corner, shielding his
face with his arm. His three cron1es
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. WEIGH
er, coming to himself, clutched at the
note, and unfolded it and read.
My Charming Friend: lit said)
Once more have returned from New
York. stay at Lonesome Cove Inn.
Meet me there tomorrow afternoon
perhaps | should say-this afternoon
at three. 1t is Of importance. When
you come, inquire for Inez Castro-l
have used that name in order that
certain mutual friends might not hear
Of it. As ever.
Irene Courtier.
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.
"What's that to you," said Mulligan.
Welcher produced his note-the note
produced an unusual effect upon Null
ligan. He dropped his surliness, and
with a wink beckoned to Welcher,
leading him down 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 favor for me"
Welcher seized her hand. That was
his undoing. In moment she was in
his arms, struggling. He kissed her
full upon the lips.
"Pll go to hell and back for you," he
said. Struggling, she half screamed.
Then something happened. Unknown
to Welcher, the door of Room Seven
opened noiselessly, and a we'll 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 1nez 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.
1T was nothing-nothing," gasped
Inez, "a bit of play-nothing else-be-
ieve me-, .-s.-;
Hernandez smiled-a wicked smile.
He never looked at Inez. He glared at
Joey Welcher.
$50 I 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. it 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. I have watched
you from first to last. Always I have
watched you. I watched you while
you made love to my young wife this
day. I watched you when you stole
her money from her a week or so
ago."
"Give me a drink" cried Weleher,
"go on. What do you want me to do?'
"First," returned Hernandez, "say
nothing to anyone-about me or my
comprehension about Inez here
nothing. To you we are as a sealed
book. Break silence and-well, my
ancestors were of the Spanish inquis1.
tion, my young friend. Silence comes
first. Next, get that packet. I care
not by what means and bring it to
me at the time and place shall here
after designate. Now go. Tonight,
you understand-tonight."
That night, SWelcher, fully dressed.
and tossing in his restless bed, heard
the tap-tap Of pebbles on his window.