The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-06-11
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Death Sentence.

"HE Master of the Black Order
lay back, breathing heavily. his
limbs twisting in an occasional
paroxysm OF pain. The black
velvet curtains. close by the easy chair
in which he reclined. seemed sur
charged with the wrlthing of some rest
less spirit. Arthur Varney leaned for
ward studying the face of the leader
with anxiety
do you feel completely recovered.
MASTER" he asked. I thought you
were dead last night. We worked over
you for two hours or more
The others voice was husky. as he re-
Yes! My astral went through the
most terrible sufferings. The chord was
How could that scoundrei have learned
about It's power? And how could the
trap have been set for me SO? Who
gave gave the Wsarnins that l was going
Varney shook his head. The master
fixed his basilisk eyes upon the dark
ones Of the clubman.
'Varney. / have more than once felt
that there was traitor in the camp.
You know what happened to that Hin
doc? Well, that was only the bare sug-
gestion Of what l know how to do In
the line of punishment Beware of
treachery, Narney!
The other mans voice shook as he ex-
tended a pleading hand.
on, master! / have been faithful
unto death. ! have sacrificed my every
impulse to obey your mandates"
Yes" snarled the other. twisting as
know, the reason why you have been
afraid to break your oaths OF feaity."
You will not betray me?'
mo, as long as you remain faithful.
Qttt I
Myra MAYNARD has made you hesitate
several times when success was within
our grasp. Remember. the reward I
have promised you will only be paid II
YOU earn II"
The master was silent for few mo-
ments. lost in thought At last he
spoke.
IL am still suffering from the astral
pain, due to the drag of the soul. from
those accused lights. But. now know
the instrument Of our complete ven-
geance.' and the master reached to the
left, crashing a brazen summons on the
Oriental gong which swung close at
hand.
The master of ceremonies OF the Black
Order entered with a slow salaam.
Has the trial begun demanded the
master.
Yes. even as the master has COM
manded."
LET me have the listening tube" de-
manded the ruler of evil. A gutta
percha tube was handed to his stiffened
grasp, and he listened with cruel smile
on his face.
At the other extremity of the connec-
tion tragic scene, similar In some
ways to other gatherings OF that mys-
FERROUS group of evildoers-was being
enacted. Yet there was adeadlv tense
ness In the robed figures with hooded
heads which evidenced the change which
had come over the self-confident men,
bers of the Black Order.
Within the past few days they had
realized that their leader was not In
fallible. The grip of law and order had
been closing in about them, driving
them from the ancient meeting place to
these new quarters. The hitherto indis-
suable master was, they knew. even
now suffering from his psychic adven-
ture, after two abrupt failures
So IT wassthat the spirit of suspicion
burned in the breast OF every member
aga inst every fellow. The shrewd lead
er had wisely planted with each one
the germ of doubt, that he might play
upon this destructive emotion for his
own subtle purposes.
In the center OF the black CARRIED
group stood man. unhooded, He look
ed about him fearfully. his rugged
features now flabby with untonceaied
with nervous agitation.
"But. II was only a mistake" he Plead
ed hoarsely. II swear that obeyed the
master. as well as l could.
A chorus of subdued. scornful laughs
greeted this vain attempt at mollifica-
ton, The gong crashed three times
within, and now came the sibilant voice
OF the master, through the somber tap.
estry walls
What say we. brothers of the Black
Shall this man die according to ouI
The master Of ceremonies had re-en