The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-11-17

window was raised-swiftly but noise
lessly. and from without
One Of Joes friends across the taole
rose With terror written on his face.
He pointed with his finger at the VIII
dow
Look. look" he cried. They looked.
A long thin, g-isuy brown arm with
long clawlike fingers, thrust usel
through the window and thrust foid-
ed piece of paper into the breast
pocket Of ice Welcher's coat Joe
sprang to his feet, crouched terror
stricken in the ,orner, shielding MS
face with his arm. His three cronles
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. Welch-
er. coming TO himself. clutched at the
note. and unfolded it and read.
Ny Charming Friend: Ut saio)
Once more ! have returned from Ne"
York. I stay at Lonesome Cove Inn
Meet me there tomorrow afternoon
perhaps ! should say-this afternoon
at three. It is Of importance. When
you come, inquire for lnez Castro
have used that name in order that
certain mutual friends might not hear
Of it. AS ever,
Irene courtier
That afternoon at three Lonesou. =
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 i'll 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
lgan. 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 favor for me"
Welcher seized her hand. That was
bis undoing In a moment she was in
his arms, struggling. He kissed her
full upon the lips.
"I'll go TO hell and back for you he
said. Struggling, she half screamed
hg N
to Welcher, the door of Room Seven
opened noiselessly, and well dressed
man, with 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 nothing-nothing, gasped
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.
80 ! see," he said, "a bit Of play.
I He whistled The door opened once
again. Two figures entered-the brute
ta9 Pcnto. 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
tenei 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 anC
he clutched Welcher by the wrist
My young friend went on Herman
, dez, you are n crook. have watched
you from first to last. Always | have
watched you. | watched you while
you made love to my young wife this
day. | watched you when you stole
her money from her a week or 81
ago"
Give me q drink" cried Welcher
go on. What do you want me to do!
First" returned Hernandez, "sa!
nothing to anyone-about me or m!
compsnious-nor about lnez here
nothing. To you we are as q sealet
book. Break silence and-well, m,
ancestors were of the Spanish inquisi
ticn. my young friend. Silence comes
first. Next, get that PACKET. car'
not by what means-and bring II Il