Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-14

while Ia" mystic twelve waited breath
lcssly for tho command from tho Inner
shrine. where few dared enter.
We'll they knew that failure to exc
cute the cdic,s or the Master meant
instant and mysterious annihiiltion for
tho one who disObcycd III the rhastly
silence came the towns OF n scphulchraI
voice from behind the black and scarlet
altar.
Send Varncy hither"
The leader OF the rites retired to
tho far end Of the c..ambcr, to reap.
pear followed by Arthur Varn.y. no
longer Self-posscssed. but wan aud
tense as though he had been drawn
through ~ terrific struggle.
Facing the thirteen caudlesticks upon
The altar lie made the Observation-Disclosures
sign. This was initiated by the others.
in robes. Then the newcomer was led
TO the velvet curtains behind which
Was concealed the Master of tho mys-
tcricS. black robe was thrown about
his shoulders as he nearcd this portal
and. white OF faco. he disappeared
within. tagging in gait and head down.
cast.
All WAS iuky black within the secret
recess, while the heavy incense laden
atmosphere waS sumocating. Narney
CROPPED with his hands, hut remained
standing eNpcctautly.
Master, Whcfc ara thou?' he asked,
timidly.
figure began TO appear--thc appalling
head of the devil. Narncy breathcd
heavily III The danll silence.
y reddish haze from some mys-
toriouS source sftcd into the cham
be-, to reveal sitting before him arms
upon lakewood table with carved
goblin supports, hands clcnched and
DDiurncd--thp ~ Ma
Of tho Black Lodge
Narncy raised his eyes to the gilt
tcring gaze OF this serpentine monarch
OF cunning. answering with the dread
his bidding.
The expression of tho face OF thi.
evil ponth was an indcscribabie mix
turc OF contemptuous se1f-confidcncc.
crattincss and hatred OF all things
breathing and dead. powerful face
IT was. with sharply chiscllcd lines
about the mouth, the nose and under
inc eyes. Such cyes-kecn AS daggers'
points. inscrutahle as those OF a cobra.
INTO their battling depths came an al
most reddish glow as they fixed them
selves with magnetic power upon the
face Of Arthur Varney
Have YOU accomplished your task?
Is all prepared for the final moment"
There was Il suggestion of an alien
dialcct-!ndcfna bic. and vet convinc-
American As lie spoke his mouth did
not seem To move; the words came
through hard, rigid lips.
Narney nodded and his voice trem-
blcd
Master, have followed your bid
ding. The spell works. and she will
die by the doom YOU have decrced, upon
TINS the cvc OF her twentieth birth
day Everything has been done as
you planned and she advances help
lcSsly toward dcStructiun-only-o
The eyes narrowed to Sits as the
masters voice Kissed: "Only-only-
WHAT
Narncy knclt before the Black Pom
TN, stretching out his arms pleadinGly.
Master, master, Why must I lead
her on? She is an innocent girl. and
| have learned to love her. have
obeyed you in this as in all the other
tasks-but let hcr live" His voice
rose to a wall Of agony. Let me die
IN her piace-lct me give my own for
tune Let me marry her. for she is
interested in me, and | Will secure her
fortune viii turn it over to the
lodge. 10 which it belongs. Her death
is unnecessary for our success"
The face OF the master twitchcd with
unwontcd passion as lie snarlcd VEN
oinously:
Unnecessary: Whose word is law
here? Whose decisions final? This for
tune must come TO us direct: If she
IlNcd thcce would TIC an heir. II must
come to the BLACK Lodge with the bap-
tism OF blood and the sacriticial flame
of DEATH
His voice sank lower as he leaned
forward toward the Bringing varncy.
And although YOU do not realize it.
Nnrncy. that girl possesses power or
which she is unaware The psychic
ability Of her father. which he never
learned TO control, has been inherited
in tenfold strength by her. She holds
that within her spirit which might
shattcr the very existence of this or
der ! say, Narney, Myra Mason must
dic.'
Cold Dcrspiration dripped down the
forehead OF Narncy, who shuddercd as
lac replied res. mastcrm'
As lac spoke the reddish haze faded
and the face Of the master disappeared
In $tyrian darkness.
The crash of the great gong sounded
again.
This time there were seven strokes
II was the signal for the death ritual
NarncY staggered to his feet and backc cd
weakly toward the curtains through
which lie had entered the inner cham
her. He fell headlong to the floor OF
the larger room. and the leader of the
ceremonies lifted him TO his knees
Tho disc was revolving once more
and, trembling with weakness and :,
deeper emotion, Varney Joined the
others as they knclt about the cahalis-
tic circumference to chant with them:
"oul Mako Jcnga Sanssi"
The thirteen men now swung and
chantcd in unison
CHAPTER VIII