Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-24
CHATTER XNIII.
The Darkness Made Light.


TUE night air was cold and still.
L heavy frost was settling upon the coun-
tryside. No wind stirred, and the quiet was
intense. The barking Of dog miles away
came to US with wonderful distinctness We
walked In silence up and down on the drive
way near the lodge, within the gates, each
deep in mediation. the gravel crunchtuE
hriskly beneath our feet. After long
interval Scvrancr drew my attention to
light NOV ng within the Hall
lie spoke Of a signal" said my friend.
"perhaps---"
There was no need to add anything. Upon
the word we set off toward the house The
lght-cvidcnty that Of a hand lantern
was visible through the windows of the
lower floor. II moved hithcr and thither.
nnd In the end abruptly approached the
door, which was heard to close gently.
Then there was the sound of feet upon the
piazza, ending I'm thud as a man leaped
lightly to tho ground.
We followed the light which made off
at n swinging pace down the avenue OF
frees that led to the sea. the two of us
doggirr II closely. satisfied that the man
who carried it WIS none other than Fritz.
II he heard us following, he did not pause
to itvcstigate Very likely Won Hol2horn
had warned him that we would be on the
lookout; we made no attempt to walk ST.
lently, but Fritz kept on swiftly until he
had reached the landing.
Here however he stopped and began TO
busy himself mysteriously placing the IAN
tern on the ground at some distance in
land. Sevrancc and | walked boldly to
his side hut he paid us no attention
| failed to understand precisely what he
was about. but IL was soon made clear
After he had arranged everything to his
satisfaction, the man produced box OF
Cusecs. struck one shielding it with his hol-
lowed palms against the slight airs that
breathed in from the sea and touched the
light to something which he had placed
on the rail of the stairway, at the same
time stepping quickly back.
A broad red flame lCaped high in the
air with roaring sound, brightly illuminate
ing the little space about us, making the
radiance from the lighthouse in comparison
seem pale and puny. Sevrancc and !
started beck slightly surprised, half
blinded Fritz stolidly turned aside and ig-
nited two other flares at distances of 20
feet one from another When all were
blazing full they Formed rough triangle.
The answer presently came--three brill
liant rockets. soaring in flaming arcs far
out at sea. Fritz grurtcd satisfaction and
lit another flare, this time of blue light.
When II had disappeared. two more rockets
dartcd toward the zenith.
without noticing us, the man turned
sharply about and made for Saltacres Hall.
Froryi this. concluding that the pyrotechnlcs
were over for the evening, we followed,
gradually permitting the lantern to gain
upon us When he was out of earshot
Scvrarce spoke
"Our future ally, Won Holzborn," he
mused aloud "has a decided genius for or
ganization He sees far ahead and makes
his plans accordlngly-with most Internal
ingenuity | confess I'd like to know just
what those signals spelled out to De Netze
and the others on the yacht"
We'll have to take them on their face
value" said. for what the Prusslan says
they mean"
"Of course. But distrust him, Gordon: /:
distrust him !"
"And l no less than YOU" I told him
stoutly Notwithstanding that fact have
put my hand to the plow, and I'm not going
to turn back"
Were agreed there" he pledged him
self, with a hearty handicap on my shoul-
der whittier thou goest," he laughed,
there 20 I-well see this thing through
to the finish"
Won Hozborn was ready for us when
we knocked. Fritz opened instantly, waved
us respectfully into the farther apartment
and unostentatiously sidled out
His master was reclining, as before,
propped up in the bed by Il number of pill
lows.
He seemed to be suffering severely from
his wound But he made no complaint. and
with frank brutality rejected our-I ad-
nit somewhat forced ana stllted-eNpres-
sons of sympathy.
'weI waive all that and consider 1t
said" he suggested This is a business
matter, pure and simple. Wen transact 1t
without frills, l am aware that you would
gladly see the last of me-just as gladly as
/ will of you, when we've come to the end
of the passage. Frankly, despise you both
heartily, even as you despise me, and the
sooner we are agreed and parted, the hap
pier for all concerned"
Wen subscribe to those sentiments un-
reservedly," told him, without resentment.
"And now?"
"And now into the breech,' dear friends.
You'll find cigars on the dresser. Settle
yourselves. This is likely TO be 4 long con-
ference-longer than l might wish, Still,
needs must when the devil drives You
concur?" He grinned maliciously.