The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-06-14

limousine door, opened it, shot one
crept up the stairs. Tokos quarters
were apparently not unfamiliar to him
for although it was quite dark lie went
straight to the wardrobe and proceed
ed to divest himself of his own clothes
in exchange for new suit of the chauf-
feur's. He even stopped to cleanse his
face and hands, comb his hair and put
on fresh linen, for his size was near
enough to Toko's to make this possible.
He hid the thick black muller, consti-
tuting his mask, in his coat pocket,
damned the chauffeur's uniform cap
over his ears and stepped to a window.
1t was one of those rare and brill
clear and even a letter may be read
without the aid of artificial light.
Bathed in the moon rays, the bold mas
querader at the window bore a striking
resemblance to the man whose clothes
he had donned. He was indeed suffi-
GENTLY deceiving to be taken for Toko's
twin brother.
Before leaving the room he placed a
card on Toko's bureau. The card read ::
Toxic. the clothes leave behind contain
the price of the suit necessity has forced
me to take.
1t was signed-"The Silent Menace"
under the usual silhouette.
He went downstairs laughing softly,
crossed the lawn in perfect mimic of
Toko's gait, and going to the front door
steps, sat down, lighted a cigarette and
began to blow rings. The sentry, who
took him to be Toxic, did not even look
at him twice.
Presently he threw the cigarette stub
away. entered the house and went up
stairs.
Brent came into the hall and saw his
back. Il thought you had retired for
the night?" was Brent's pleasant greet
ing.
Toko's well-imitated accents fioated
down to the major as the ascending
man proceeded without pausing: Il
go get Colonel Dare's autmobile Cog
giles. Forget all about them. He want
new pair to match" And he continued
without further questioning and en-
tered the colonels bedroom.
Here he pretended to search for the
coloners automobile goggles. But none
of the conversation in the library es-
capped him.
Il can't imagine what has become of
Adams" he heard Major Brent remark.
II saw him a moment or two ago,
think" responded Miss Dare.
II haven't seen him since he went
to the summer house with the colonefs
message to the newspaper men," de-
clared Brent. Have you, Miss Bonn?'
A noise on the front steps inter
rupted Bertha's reply and the sentry
dragged a Western Union telegraph
messenger into the hall. The mas
querader tiptoed out of the colonels
room and peeped down the stairs.
Il know who you are" the snickering
lad said to Pearl. Il seen your picture
in the paper. | guess what | brought is
for this TN. l seen her picture too
and he handed a message to Bertha
Bonn. "Sign here" he said handing
her receipt book.
Bertha took the yellow envelope and
dismissed the messenger. Excuse me,
please" said she, stepping back a pace
or two.
"Of course" And Pearl returned to
the library not very curious.
Brent, however, remained in the hall
and eyed Bertha uneasily while she
read the message. 1t began:
Miss Bonn: Force Major Brent to be
silent concerning the man he thinks is
Toxic and he will be rewarded. ADAMS.
Bertha shot an apprehensiye glance
at the major.
"You know the rules of the house to-
night" he insinuated, coming close.
MAY read it,"
Bertha slowly shook her head. She
started to destroy the note then and
there. He made protesting motion.
Suddenly she handed the note TO Brent.
He read it and the color left his face,
returning it with palsied hand. Their
eyes met in one long silent question.
It's up to you, major" whispered
Bertha in a manner to conceal that she
was at last putting the man on trial
and the hope that he placed his duty
above all personal desire.
"And my reward? The locket, its
contents and your everlasting silenceF'
'Will you keep silent?"
II will protect you if you give NE en-
tire freedom"
Bertha's eyes filed with tears of
self pity. ITS up to you, major" she
repeated, land the impersonator." And
with flashing eyes and curling lips she
Joined Pearl in the library.
CHANGING up the stairs Brent caught
fleeing glimpse of the man at the top
moving off in the direction of Colonel
followed Bertha.
Didn't / hear you say something
| about an impersonatorY inquired
Pearl, innocenuy.
Bertha gave little laugh in which
there was a touch OF the despair she
gram. "Ore of my arts" she feigned
Il have just had an offer to return to
the stage. It's from abroad" Conclud
ing with a sigh: Il may take 1t up
I'm about broke and must find some
means of replenishing my income which
has lately ceased.
Pearl gave Bertha a politely APPROX
ing and admiring smile. Then she
turned to the major with a question
about the missing Adams.
II sent him on-on an Grand" re