Evening star., 1917-09-23

alone. epitomi1ing strange thtngA
Then, with that quietly dramatic note
which marks real life entrances and
differentiates them from tho loudly 40:
claimed episodes OF tho stage, q enifo
actor took up his cue.
Both hands, Mr. Cavanagh!" direot-
cd an American. voice.
Nerves atwitch. I started around In
its direction.
of No 4s protruded a revolver barrel
pointed accurately at my head.
I hesttated. glancing from the woman
toward the open door
DO 1t quick" continued the voice. In
ate man. Mr.. Cavanash. Raise your
hands. Carneta, relieve Mr.. Cavanash
of his gun!'
Instantly the girl. with deft fingers.
had obtained possession OF my revol-
step inside" said the crisp. strident
voice.
knowing myself helpless. and quite
convinced that I was indeed In the
the doorway, the door being held open
from within. She whom I had heard
called Carneta followed. The door was
reclosed; and found myself in q per-
fectly bare and dim passageway. From
behind me came the order:
go right ahead"
Into a practically unfurnished room.
lighted by one gas jet. walked. Some
coarse sacking hung before the two
windows and a fairly large grip stood
on the floor against one wall. A gas
ring was in the hearth. together with
a few cheap cooking utensils.
turned and faced the door. First
entered Carneta. carrying the basket:
then came the man with a revolver in
his left hand and his right arm strapped
across his chest and swathed in band
ages. One glance revealed the fact that
his right hand had been severed-re-
vealed the fact. though I knew 1t al
You're visitor did not expect. Mr..
Cavanagh," he said. 'T expected some
one worse. You've interfered a bit
with my plans. but don't know that ]
don't think I'll stop for supper
stood silent by the door.
"Just pack up the provisions" he d.
rected. nodding toward the basket-fn
the next room"
That's a noticeable dust coat you're
wearing. Mr. Cavanagh," said the
American: ut gives me great notion
Tn afraid I'll have to borrow it. 1t will
hide this stump" he said grimly; "and
any of the hashishin gentlemen who
may be on the lookout-though I rather
fancy the road is clear at the moment
will mistake me for you. See the idea
Carneta will be IN a cab and TIL be in
after her and away before they've go'
time so much as to whistle.
Very awkwardly he got into the coat:
She's a clever girl, Carneta, he said
She's doctored me all along since those
devils cut my hand on
AS he finished speaking. Carneta re-
turned. She had discarded her rags an6
wore large travelling coat ana a 1ash'
ionable hat.
Ready" asked Dexter. We'll make
a rush for it. We meant to go tonight
anyway. It's getting too hot here" Ht
turned to me.
SORRY to say" he drawled, TIL have
to tie you up up sa,laS and gag you Apologize
Carneta nodded and went out of thu
room again. to return almost imme
diately with a line that looked Al
though it might have been employed To-
drying washing.
Hands behind you." raped Dexter
toying with the revolver-"and thinl
yourself lucky you've got two"
Very neatly the girl bound my wrists
and IN response to a slight nod from
Dexter threw the end Of the line up owe
a beam in the sloping ceiling. for th'
room was right under the roof. ant
drew it up in such a way that. m!
wrists being raised behind me, became
utterly helpless.
"Just tie his handkerchief around hi:
mouth" directed Dexter: that will keeI
him quiet long enough for our purpose
I hope you will be released soon. Mr.
Cavanagh," he added. Greatly regre
the necessity"
Carneta bound the handkerchief owe
my mouth.
Dexter extinguished the gas.
Mr.. cavanaeh," he said, I've gon,
through hell and I've lost the mos
useful four fingers and a thumb in th
United States to get hold Of tn
prophets slipper. Any one can have