The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-09
CHAPTER LII.
The Elixir of Youth.

BY presenting the secret word and
signs, surprising willingness OF the
High Master to interview them. after
his receipt OF note. permitted their
access. One was an aged woman, the
other man Of equal years. apparently.
Despite their decrepit physical condi-
ton. they were richly attired. Indeed,
there was an uncanny air surrounding
them which caused varney. used as he
Ssr N ,pste Sf ri anS psychic to sAud
This IL the first time the High Mas
ter has ever admitted woman to our
sacred council. brother" he whispered
THAT is no mere woman replied the
other. with q cautionary gesture. DO
not speak SO loud. She and the other
are two evil spirits the Master has
Se I'D to sr ss'S a So our
a5anees at Varney. who instinctively
The crash of the braxen gong struck
M o snn sss ssw hs, hand sSs y 81 sss
were to be ,shered into the inner room.
The black brotherhood. at a signal
from the leader Of ceremonies. bowed
ing a double row through which the
newcomers we're led to the swinging
Here they hesitated, looking suspicious
L. at each other for an instant's pause.
Then. seemingly treasured. by their
common thought. they hurried within
the portal. behind the hooded leader,
Narney. rubbing his forehead medita-
lively. turned toward the secret exit
word. another brother opened 1t for him
and he left the evil place.
"A few minutes later he was watkins
along the open roadway. In the glorious
sunlight Of another fair Spring day.
There nnl NJ nd
cision on his usually calm features. It
was not the self-confdent Varney. now,
put one who seemed the victim Of an
uneasy UNI sy.. stirring Of spirit. He mopped
fumed silk handkerchief. and looked
miserably at the ground.
As he strolled on he bumped into more
Than one pedestrian completely en-
crossed N his thoughts. to the exclu-
sion OF all mundane affairs.
Il can stand II no longer" murmured
he. "Myra has been so brave. and her
nth has been so strong in Inc. l know
onster. l an. h.niln Hni her irLe:
has been so misplaced"
He sighed. and his eyes caught sight
O. somethinS on the groun1. II vas a
fallen rose. :ram soma cnrei'3s per-
sons bouquet.
He stopped to pick UP the crushed
petals Poor little flower. You are like
Myra Maynard. You have been tramplcd
on In the great highway. and yot, crush
f e. as you are; ysa stil! retain your
clean breast Of Il ali. Maybe ' she insH viii i
care for me the more because I am
The promises Of the master are oeau-
tiful. but I am not SO sure as was that
he will keep them"
even And t tss4 he Locked ,,os sbtS about
afraid that his thoughts might be borne
through walls and distance to the mys-
ferrous mind Of the evil genius who seem
ca to know everything by that strange
II must think i over wall. before /
verney. and he walked on into ine
first time in years. against n lis f ev,l tee TIE
slres. and REINFORCED by that consci-
ence whose still. small voice had been
mute for so long.
Unknown to him. a silent watcher had
been following him. far In the distance.
ana this man smiled evilly more than
ONCE: When varney, finally perched ON
river. the shadow" hurried into n teie-
phone booth In small road house in
the v valley yot to report his location.
Will bear more Watching. But go to him
ana tell him to visit the girl, where he
vii receive zee new order from me.
70 wh be- w ne + to obey tS IMPLICITLY Tell him
Maynard manison, in about an hour.
The man LEFT the "I place Sees snd slowly
who was disturbed visibiy by this sud.
den reminder Of the evil brotherhood.
oh, he exclaimed. as the two ex-
RersF" "Ho" did you know i was
The other smiled with leer. as ne re-
piled suavely.
II did not know you were here. But
the Supreme One did. and sent me with
g. message to you. He knows all things
And there was a tone Of sinister threat
mand varney looked at his watch and
Il VIII obey as ! have always DONE"
a az ssplie ed But am tssinnins to be
fighting our black art" "e''
."Ah, brother. do not dare to tell the
Master .,rer. that YOU are losing faith That
cry. for the strength of our occult force
depends upon absolute confidence. We
Will win. for the greatest force in the
xS SrS OF ra ma net rnd ssr! is with u.s.
They separated. with another ex-
change OF symbolic movements OF the
hands and vsrney walked slowly in the
dIECCtiOu ol MyTd his CONFLICT
OF moods was still apparent. but force
Of habit caused him to obey.
Black In the unholy OF unholies, as the
deliberately inner room OF the High
Master could well be named. a strange
scene was In progress.
The evil pontif sat laneuidly upon a
divan. leering down at the two eager
faces before him.
Both the visitors on their knees, were
begging almost tearfully for his help.
You give us the magic potion II you
will, o Master! VIII you not reward us
for what we have already done?'
begged the woman.
All. gave you what was your need.
Have you not both wealth and power?'
The. old man mumbled through his
toothless gums.
Yea! But the greatest boon OF life
has been denied us, after all our fiend-
ish servitrde to you"
Jay, we want YOUTH. without which
power wealth, and everything else Is as
naught,' echoed the old woman, wob-
bling unsteadily upon her aged knees.
Use Master laughed. with that croco-
ollie smile OF his which sent a tremor
Of apprehension through his two sup
And II I grant you this boon WIN
you do what demand. In bringing about
the destruction Of Myra Maynard and
DIR. Payson Alden?'
Both nodded emphatically.
The Master arose from the divan and
walked to an deliberately carved cabinet