The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-23
CHAPTER LVIX.
The Master Persists.


chamber, regarded Arthur VAR
ney's nervous face with an ex-
precision OF mingled fury and contempt.
varney. kneeling in humble alteration
before the High Master, trembled as
though with an asue
II have told you my plan. Your re-
monstrances are vain. Varney! Another
speech like that and shall punish you
!. ~ I have done with other traitors to our
order In the past!" cried the Master.
"The girl must die Even should you
obtain her fortune for me. by marrying
her. will never be satisfied until / have
put her from the land Of the living!"
He smote the great brazen gong at his
side. .
The ceremonial leader entered at the
summons, to be greeted by the horn
thumbed sign OF the evil orothernood'
your command, o MASTER"
Bring In the man and woman who
have barsained to serve u.s." snarled
the Master. Again he addressed Varney
whose downcast face was drawn and
haggard from some internal struggle be-
tween the good and evil Of his strange
personality.
\ but, Master" he pleaded. IL She"
II have spoken my will" came the
strident response. she knows en.re,y
under the training OF this scoundre..
Doctor Alden. she 10 acquiring greater
psycnic power. che WI. sIoh Se en,
/ must slay ner, and Alden. as well. in
order to guard our own brotherhood
One sign OF weakness now-and II Will
nay. And remember. that you
ushered into the existence beyond the
I Gu, 81 Sd ths yeS to sss you
Varney did not reply.
Even as the Master ceased. two figures
sdy.nced guided by the SenS sSnsi S S
face, as tine potentate commanded that
the blindfolds be removed from the faces
OF the man and woman who were now
instructed to kneel before him.
The nrst or the newcomers was a
heavy -jowled Individual. whose swarthy
skin and rough features indicated that
az sr haa Ss seh e 81 s ne
in the unaccustomed brilliancy. as the
red rays radiated from a great luminous
disc directly behind the Masters head
at the faces which were all apparently
strange to him.
He looked with surprise at the woman
ss. his side age She or was
heavy. sensual features betokened a ma
ture more cruel. and infinitely mor'
cunning. than that Of her ,compa MON
and returned the Masters keen scru
tiny with a glance OF insolcnt self-con
q: v.rney; with the , same %, sn x, o..
studied them ne realized that the. vii
famous couple gave proof OF the Mas
tors judgment in choosing tools;
as,s could says
search in the underworld!
do you understand what have en-
gagged you IN dot" demanded the Mas
Both nodded. and the leader Of tn
Devil Worshipers smiled in silent
crocodile mirth.
The Maste, began to inssrae. then; them, 4
interruption. until with a significan
gesture across his own throat. he ende,
sisnincantly: The knife. then. tn
knife! And see, that 1t cuts deep! I
cannot cut too deep"
The woman leered at him.
IT can use knife. ana use well.
she exclaimed. But. poison Is duicke
The man. whom the Master had ad
dressed as Pedro" stepped back. ap
nut / don't want to use the knit,
IT'S Just kidnapping. plant! don
want no electric chair for all the mono
The Master glared vicieusly at Pedro h
me to the letter. I said the knife. and
will punish any disobedience!"
But. Master; he 70 right" interrupt
r, st Maynard a m p es .sso MyrS
you have planned 1t. Then. there
Alden: who 4; 2, a, always Just where on
x "Wii! you do as bid'" cried tn
-, v.,nsy shock biz b., head and Pedr
The ruler Of the Black Order. suddenl
ciawiike fingers toward the two recal
citrants. A terrible scene followed.
for II seemed as, though forked light
ming shot forth from those stiffene
Straight to the breast Of varney an
the obstinate Pedro sprang the bolt
Of living fire.
agony as they sank miserably to the
knees. The woman. regarding thei
with scorn. laughed cruelty at their al
Suish. The Master gave her an anpro'
Ing glance and dropped his hands e'
wit you obey7" he demanded.
Yes. yes" groaned the sufferers.
To tssir Feet WS G the EVIL pons
oned to the ceremonial leader.
''Take them out" he commanded Ar
In q whisper he added: watch Varnt
and the man. for mstrust them!" .
more, as was Pedro. The black ord
member led the man through the ma
of passages to the old stone culver
which was one of the secret exits OF Il
council rooms.
go that way" he commanded, poin
ing to the north. Meet the woman
the old house. where you will find h
automobile. Hasten. for the time h
almost come for action
Arthur Varney. with head bowed. ne
passed into the open air. regarded wi
sccrn by his companions. Weakness
evil was the greatest crime in the ey
of the Devil Worshipers. and he res
tsed that he was regarded as a fall
member. the news of his punishme
having been whispered among the bret
rem in the outer council room,
go that way" commanded the Ger
monial leader. pointing to the sout
-See what Myra Maynard Is doing, a
be ready to obey the masters comman
TO the letter.
The member watched him disappes
until confident that he had not rejoin
the untrustworthy Pedro for a possit
conference.
Then the woman was brought fort
her blindfold removed. She was given
final word OF instruction. Her brut
face lit up with an unholy light as Sol
gold was slipped into her hand.