Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-12-21

rose, with terror written on his face.
He pointed with his finger at the win.
dow.
Look. look.r he cried. They looked.
A long thin. gristly brown Arm with
long clawiike fingers. thrust itsslf
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 cronies
leaped to the window. and looked out.
There was . moon. But there was no
one to DO seen. The owner Of the
hand and arm had disappeared. WEIGH
er, coming to himself. ciutched at the
note. and unfolded 1t and read.
Ny Charming Friend: (k said)
Once more have returned from New
York. silly at Lonesome Cove Inn.
Meet me there tomorrow afternoon
perhaps I should say-thls afternoon
at three. u 10 OF importance. When
you como, Inquire for inex castro-l
have used that name In order that
certain mutual friends might not hear
Of u. A. ever,
irene courtler.
That afternoon at three Lonesome
Cove-three miles north Of Seaport
wal graced by the presence Of Joe
Welcher. Welcher made q 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 q certain party here Of the
name Of Inez Costro." whispered
Welcher to Mulligan.
Whats 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 sWelcher,
leading him down a dim corridor. go
up that there staircase" he command
ed, "and knock at Number Seven"
II sent for you," Inez began, that
you should do a favor for me-"
Welcher seized her hand. That was
his undoing. In a moment she was in
his arms, struggling. He kissed her
full upon the lips.
I'll 60 to hell and back for you" he
said. Struggling, she half screamed.
Then something happened. Unknown
to Welcher, the door of Room Seven
opened n~oiselessly. and a 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.
1T wal uothing-nothing," gasped
Inez, "a bit of play-nothing else-be-
lieve me-"
Hernandez smi1ed-a wicked smile.
He never looked at Inez. He glared at
Joey Welcher.
$50 1 see." he said. "a bit Of play"
He whistled. The door opened once
again. Two figures entefed-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 Next
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 e it,?
He waited for an answer. Joe mois-
tened his dry lips and nodded.
well and good" went on Herman
DEE, "that packet is mine-it belongs
to me. You shall steal it from her
steal 1t 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.
dee. you are a crook. I have watched
you from first to last. Always l have
watched you. l watched you while
you made love to my young wife this
day. l watched you when you stole
her money from her a week or so
ago."
'tGive me q drink" cried Welcher,
go on. What do you want me to DOR
First" returned Hernandez, Say
nothing to anyone-about me or my
companions-nor about lnes here
nothing. To you We r as q sealed
book. Break silence and-well, my
ancestors were Of the Spanish inquisi.
ton, 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 60. Tonight,
you understand-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
three-quarters-by Its rays he saw
three %crouching hgures-shadows OF
the night. One Of these figures held
up . white hand. Welcher responded
with q silent signal; and then drew
back into his room. He drew from his
pocket . pint flask and drank deep.
He smoked q cigarette, taking quick,
swift, strong puts and inhaling deeply