Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-12-07

IOs0, Win terrOT WF1Iteu ON nlS I6Co'
He pointed with his finger at the win
dow.
Look. look.".he cried. They looked.
A long thin. gristly brown arm with
long clawlike fingers, thrust itself
through the window and thrust q fold.
ed piece of paper into the breast
pocket Of Joe Welchers coat. Joe
sprang to his feet. crouched terror
stricken In the corner. shielding his
face with his arm. His three cronies
leaped to the window. and looked out.
There was q moon. But there was no
one to be seen. The owner Of the
hand and arm had disappeared. WEIGH
OF. coming to himself, clutched at the
note. and unfolded It and read.
My Charming Friend: (t said)
Once moro I have returned from New
York. stay At Lonesome Cove Inn.
Nest me there tomorrow afternoon
perhaps should say-thls afternoon
-st three. II 10 Of importance. When
you come, Inquire for inex Castro
have used that name In. order that
certain mutual friends might not hear
Of u. A. ever.
irene courtIer.
That afternoon at three Lonesome
Cove-three miles north Of Seaport
was graced by the presence Of Joe
Welcher. Welcher made a bee line
for the cafe and properly spiced up
his breath before proceeding to keep
the rendezvous. Then he approached
Mulligan, the Ill favored proprietor.
you got q certain party here Of the
name of Inez Costro." whispered
Welcher to Mulligan.
whats that to you" said Mulligan.
Welcher produced his note-the note
produced an unusual effect upon Null.
ligan. He dropped his s%urliness, and
with a wink beckoned to Welcher.
leading him down a dim corridor. go
up that there staircase" he command.
ed, land knock at Number Seven"
II sent for you," Inez began, that
you should do a favor for me-"
Welcher seized her hand. That was
his undoing. In a moment she was in
his arms, struggling. He kissed her
full upon the lips.
I'll 60 to hell and back for you" he
said. Struggling, she half screamed.
Then something happened. Unknown
to Welcher, the door of Room Seven
opened noiselessly. and a well dressed
man, with a saber cut across his face,
entered on tiptoe. He closed the door
behind him, and stood there, watching
the struggle, silent. sinister.
Suddenly Inez screamed. She re-
leased herself from Welcher's arms
and reeled against the table, her eyes
wide with fright.
"My-my husband" she gasped. She
held out her hands pleadingly toward
the newcomer. Welcher covered In
abject terror.
1T was uothing-nothing," gasped
Inez. "a bit Of play-nothing else-be-
lieve me-"
Hernandez smiled-a wicked smile.
He never looked at Inez. He glared at
Joey Welcher.
80 I see," he said, "a bit Of play"
He whistled. The door opened once
again. Two figures entered-the brute
and Ponto. Hernandez gave a sign
and the brute picked Joe Welcher up,
whirled him in the air, and brought
him down seated at the table. This
was the added finishing touch to make
Joe realize his helplessness. Herman
dez clapped his hands and the brute
left the room. Ponto, the fat Mexi-
can, curled himself up underneath the
table. Hernandez seated himself.
"A bit Of play" laughed Hernandez,
harshly. Then his brow furrowed with
wrinkles, his eyes became stern.
young sir" he said, your foster
sister is one Annette Ellington. You
live in the same house with her. She
has in her possession a small oilskin
packet-a yellow packet possibly
seen it,"
He waited for an answer. Joe mois-
tened his dry lips and nodded.
well and good" went on Herman
DEE, "that packet is mine-it belongs
to me. You shall steal 1t from her
steal 1t for me. You understand"
Hernandez smiled. Then his face
froze. His hand darted forward and
he clutched Welcher by the wrist.
my young friend" went on Herman
DEE. you are a crook. have watched
you from first to last. Always / have
watched you. I watched you while
you made love to my young wife this
day. ! watched you when you stole
her money from her a week or SO
ago."
"Give me q drink" cried Welcher,
go on. What do you want me to dol"
First" returned Hernandez, "say
nothing to anyone-about me or my !
companions-nor about Inez here
nothing. To you we are az q sealed
book. Break silence and-well, my
ancestors were Of the Spanish inquisi. |
lion, my young friend. Silence comes
arst- Next, get that packet. I care
not. by what means-and bring It to
ne at the time and place I shall here
after designate. Now go. Tonight,
vou understand-tonight."
That night, Welcher, fully dressed.
md tossing in his restless bed, heard
he tap-tap of pebbles on his window.
Startled. he ose and peered without.
The sky was cloudless and the moon
.hree.quarters-by its rays he saw
.hree crouching figures--shadows Of
he night. One Of these figures held
Up . white hand. Welcher responded
With . silent signal; and then drew
rack into his room. He drew from his
,ocket . pint nask and drank deep.
ie smoked . cigarette, taking quick,
witt, strong puffs and inhaling deeply
Tho needed strength. He waited nm.
aR a. a