Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-02-16

Inc Merriment az the CROW
figure, for all It's height, was strangely
stoop-shouldered, moving with a dig
nifty Of step which went well with the
voluminous drapery in which II was
clad. And Manley watched closely as
this stately Arabian chieftain, bowling
gravely to Golden, reached out two UNI
gloved hands to greet the two hands
which his host extended to him. About
these hands he saw at a glance, there
could be nothing doubtful.
But Manley had little time to give
further thought to the scene, for at
that moment he became aware Of the
fact that Da Espares had slipped away
to another part of the house-and dur
ing that night. Manley had determined
he would keep an eye on his enigmati-
cal foreign friend. But instead Of
following Da Espares, on discovering
him stepping quietly into the deserted
library, the alert-eyed you're secretary
promptly retreated 20 the quarter
where the receiver of HIS dictaphone
was concealed. There, on placing this
watch-case receiver to his ear, Manley
had the satisfaction of catching the
faint hum Of voices. Much of that
guarded talk taking place in the IL
brary Manley could not overhear. But
he caught enough to o u his curl
osity.
Then the plan has worked?" asked
the anxious voice of Da Espares.
Without a hitch" answered the
other voice. THE Orders have been
cut through and the bomb placed"
"And the clock fuse adjusted2"
"Yes."
But what was 1t set for?"
For the stroke of twelvel" an
swered the unknown voice. by that
time the crowd will be at the table,
eating!"
But how" asked the anxious voice
Of Da Espares, could we get Legar
inside?"
The sound of a triumphantly quiet
laugh came over the little instrument.
"Legar is already here!" announced
the other.
"Hushl Not go loudl" warned Da
Espares. And from that point on it
vas only broken phrases that trickled
into the hidden listeners ear.
Game as an Arab chief. d.
Mocha the Dago acrobat on his back
. . yes, under cloak . . could hold
out both hands and lever even
suspected. being watched . .
cant-afford to lose this timel"
Again came the sound of the quietly
triumphant laugh. And it was De Es-
pares' voice that sounded clearly the
next moment.
But how did he work that bridge
fall?"
/. . Tong dive came up under a
lumber schooner's stern and hung to
rudder chain down with tide .
an hour later swan ashore .
launch to Oyster Joe's!"
Manley did not wait for more. Mid
night, he knew, was already too peril
Ously close for half measures. By the
time he reached the upper floor, in
fact, he found Enoch Golden already
heading the grand march to the great
table running almost the full length Of
the huge room opening of the conserv-
atory. The next moment he saw Da
Espares himself step hurriedly, yet
smilingly to the side of Margery Gold
en- and take their places in that gayly-
colored line that rippled with laughter
and movement as the orchestra once
more struck up. Then, remembering,
what he had overheard sbout mysteri-
ously weakened Orders and planted
bombs, Manley likewise remembered
the newly installed vault and the fact
that Legar's final object was the pos
session of a certain paper which that
vault held. And he slipped out through
the door, and on through the empty
conservatory, frantically wondering
Just what his first TO- to avert that
impending catastrophe should be.
The figure which interviewed in that
crisis, however, was a much more pic
turesque one than the slight figure OF a
young private secretary In somewhat
~disheveled evening clothes. For when
the merriment about the great crowd.
ed table was at its height an unex-
peeted and unlimited guest strobe in
through the wide door and confronted
the company there assembled. This
figure wore a dust-stained motor coat
and cap. But the most conspicuous
feature OF his attire was the yellow
mask which covered his face. Equally
conspicuous was the huge blue-bar-
relied revolver which he firmly held In
HIS right hand. This weapon, in fact,
glintsd menacingly in the strong light
as the strangers left hand was sud.
denly lifted for silence.
Ladies and gentlemen" he pro
claimed in q clear voice, "this intru.
sion. / fear. may shock you. But you