Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-01
CHAPTER XIX.
TAvERNAKE INTERvENEs.

a. ANANF '@'1NS
Tavernake had the feelings of a man
suddenly sobered as he turned once more
into the Adelphia Terrace.
When he had finished his search. he
came down to the ground floor and en-
tered the room corresponding with the
one from which he had heard voices in
the adjoining house, He crouched hero
upon the dusty boards for some time,
listening. Now and then he fancied that
he could still hear voices on the other
side of the wall, but he was never abb
solutely certain.
At last he rose to stretch himself, and
almost as he did so a fresh sound from
outside attracted his notice. A motor
car had turned into the Terrace. He
walked to the uncurtained window and
stood there, sure of being himself I'M
seen. Then mis- heart gave n great leap.
Unconditional though he was, this was a
happening which might well have excited
a more phlegmatic individual. A motor
car which he remembered very well. AL
though it was driven now by a man in
dark livery, had stopped at the next
house. a woman and two men had de-
scended. Tavernake never glanced at the
latter; his eyes were fastened upon their
companion. She was wrapped in a long
cloak, but she lifted her skirts as she
crossed the pavement, and he saw the
Hash of her silver buckles. Her carriage,
her figure, were unmistakable. 1t was
Elizabeth who was paving this early
morning visit next door! Already the lit
tie party had disappeared. They did not
even ring the bell. The door must have
been opened silently at their coming. The
motorcar gilded off. Once more the Ter
race was deserted.
Tavernake felt sure that he knew now
the s~olutiOn-there was a way from this
house INTO the next one. He struck an
other match and, standing back a few
yards, looked critically at the dividing
wall, In ancient days this had evidently
been a dwelling-house Of importance,
deliberately decorated, as the fresco work
uron the ceiling still Indicated. The wall
had been divided into three panels, with
a high wainscoting. Inch by inch he ex-
amined 1t from one end to the other; he
started from the back and came toward
the front, About three-quarters of the
way there, he paused. 1t was very sim
pie. after all. The solid wall for a couple
o. teet suddenly ceased, and the design
was continued with an expanse of
canvas, which yielded easily to
his finger. He leaned his ear against II:
he could hear now distinctly the sound
of voices-he heard even the woman's
laughter. For the height of about four
feet the wall had been bodily removed.
He made n small hole in the anvas-
there was still darkness. He enlarged the
hole until he could thrust his hand
t~hrough-there was nothing but canvas
the other side. He knew now where he
was. There was only that single thick
ness of canvas between him and the room.
He had but to make the smallest hole in
1t and he would be able to see through.
Even now, with the removal of the barrier |
on his side, the voices were more distinct. |
a complete section of the wall had evil
IDENTIFY been taken out and replaced by a
framework of wood covered
with stretched canvas. He stood back for
"a nVaan a-a 80 IL " |
could almost trace the spot where the
woodwork fitted upon hinges. Then he
went on his hands and knees again. and
With his penknife in his hand he paused
TO listen. He could hear the man Crease
talking-a slow, nasal drawl. Then he
heard Pritchard's voice, followed by what
seemed to be a groan. There was a ST.
ence, then Elizabeth seemed to ask a
He heard her low laugh and
note in IL sent a shiver through his
BODY. Pritchard was speaking fiercely
low' Then in the middle of his sentence,
here was silence once more, followed bv
mother groan. He could almost feel the
in that room holding their breaths
T~aYernake was rapidly forgetting all
'aution. The point of his knife was
through the canvas. Slowly he worked N
until a small piece. the size of a
was partially cut through.
mini pains he got his head and
into the small recess and for
he first time looked into the room.
was sitting almost in the mid
of the apartment; his arms seemed
o be bound TO the chair and his legs
we're tied together. A few yards away.
Elizabeth, her fur coat laid aside, was
back In an easy-chair, her dress
Ii glittering with sequins, a curious Iig6r
\ her eyes, a cruel smile parting her
ps. BY her side-sitting, In fact. on the
nm of her chair-was Crease, his long
'crn face paler. even, than usual; his
curled in a smile Of cynical amuse-
tent. Major Post was there, carefully
ressed as though he had been attending
social gathering. standing upon the
earth-rug with his coat-tails under his
ms. The professor, In whose face
eemed written the most AFFECT terror.
'as talking. Tayernake now could hear
very word distinctly.
my dear Elizabeth! NY dear Creasei
.ou are both too precipitate! l tell you
nat I protest-1 protest most strongly.
lr. P~ritchard, l am sure. with a little
lore persuasion. will listen to reason. l
i'll not be a party to any such proeeed-