Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-05-11

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The masked man iipiocd tn the
limousine door. opened H.. shot one
glance inside and closed IL softly. lie
crept up the stairs. Toko's quarters
were apparently not unfamiliar to him
for although IL was quite dark he went
straight TO the wardrobe and proceed
cd to divest himself Of his own clothes
in exchange for a new suit OF the chauf-
feur's. He even stopped 10 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.
lie hid the thick black muller. consti-
tuting his mask, In his a pocket.
damned the chauffeur's uniform cap
over his cars and stepped to a window.
1t was one OF those rare and bril-
liant summer nights when objects are
without the aid Of artificial light.
Bathed in the moon rays. the bold mas
querader Mt the window bore a striking
resemblance to the man whose clothes
he had donned. He was indeed sufli-
GENTLY deceiving to be taken for Toko's
twin brother.
Before leaving the room he placed n
card on Toko's bureau. The card read
Toxic. the clothes I leave behind contain
the price OF the suit necessity has forced
me to take.
II was signed-"The Silent Menace
under the usual silhouette.
He went downstairs laughing softly.
crossed the lawn in a perfect mimic of
Toko's gait. and going 10 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
u 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. II thought you had retired for
the night?" was Brcnt's pleasant greet
Ing.
Toko's wefl-imltated accents floated
down to the major as the ascending
man proceeded without pausing: Il
20 get Colonel Dare's autmobile Cog
gles- Forget oil about them. He want
new pair to match" And he continued
without further questioning and en-
tered the colonel's bedroom.
Here he pretended 20 search for the
colonel's 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 n momen or two &
think" responded Miss Dare.
II haven't seen him since he went
TO the summer house with the colonel's
message to the newspaper men," de
clured Brent. 'IIave 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 pceped down the stairs.
II know who you are" the s~nickering
lad said 10 Pearl. Il seen your picture
IA Tit Itl'l. Euf~S NhAl Vhc 10
Tor this 'un. | seen her picture too"
and he handed d message 10 Bertha
Bonn. Sign here" he said. handing
her a 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 o 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. DAMS.
Bertha shot an apprehenslye glance
at the major.
"You know the rules Of the house TO.
night" he i%nsinuatcd, coming close,
May | read it?"
Bertha slowly shook her head. She
started 10 destroy the note then and
there. He made a protesting motion.
Suddenly she handed the note to Brent,
lie read IL and the color left his face,
returning 1t with n palsied hand Their
eyes met In one long silent question.
Its up 20 you, major" whispered
Bertha in n manne To conceal that she
was nj 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 silencei'
"WIll you keep silcntf'
Il will protect you If you give me en-.
tire freedom
Bertha's eyes filed with tears OF
sclf-rity. Its UP 10 you. major" she
repeated. ''and the impersonator." And
with flashing eyes and curling lips she
joined Pearl In the library.
CHANGING up the stairs Brent caught
a ;lccting glimpse of the u at the top
moving of In the direction Of Colonel
Dare's bedroom. After u hesitation he
followed Bertha.
didn't l hear you say something
about an iInpersonatori' inquired
Pearl, innocently.
Bertha gave a little laugh In which
there was a touch Of the despair she
fought 10 master. She waved the tele-
gram. zone of my arts she feigned.
II have just had an offer 10 return 10
the stage. It's from abroad" Conclud-
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