Macon beacon., 1917-03-16


limousine door, opened 1t, shot one
glance inside and closed 1t softly. He
crept up the stairs. TokOs quarters
were apparently not unfamiliar to him
for although it was quite dark he went
straight to the wardrobe and proceed
ed to divest himself Of his own clothes
In exchange for a 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 muff1er, cOnsti-
tuting his mask, in his coat pocket,
jammed the chauffeur's uniform cap
over his ears and stepped to window.
It was one of those rare and brill
liant summer nights when objects are
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 striking
resemblance to the man whose clothes
he had donned. He was indeed suffi-
ciently 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.
It 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 to the front door
steps, sat down, lighted 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. II thought you had retired for
the night?" was Brents pleasant greet
Ing.
Toko's well-imitated accents floated
down to the major as the ascending
man proceeded without pausing: Il
60 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 cOlonel's bedroom.
Here he pretended to search for the
coloners automobile goggles. But none
of the conversation In the library es-
capped him.
II can't imagine what has become Of
Adams" he heard Major Brent remark.
II saw him a moment or two ago, l
think" responded Miss Dare.
II haven't seen him since he went
to the summer house with the colOnels
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 shickering
lad said to Pearl. II seen your picture
in the paper. guess what brought is
for this 'un. I seen her picture too"
and he handed a message to 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 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 apprehensive glance
at the major.
"You know the rules of the house to-
night" he insinuated, coming close.
MAY l read it?"
Bertha slowly shook her head. She
started to destroy the note then and
there. He made a protesting motion.
Suddenly she handed the note to Brent.
He read it and the color left his face,
returning it with a palsied hand. Their
eyes met In one long silent question.
"It's up to you, major" whispered
Bertha in 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 silenceT'
"Will you keep silentT
81 will protect you If you give me en-
tire freedom"
Bertha's eyes filled with tears OF
self-pity. ats up to you, major" she
repeated, land the impersonator." And
with flashing eyes and curling lips she
Joined Pearl In the library.
Glancing up the stairs Brent caught
a fieeting glimpse of the man at the top
moving of In the direction of Colonel
Dare's bedroom. After a hesitation he
followed Bertha.
didn't hear you say something
about an impersonatorr" inquired
Pearl, innocently.
Bertha gave a little laugh in which
there was a touch Of the despair she
fought to master. She waved the tele-
gram. zone Of my arts" she feigned.
II have just had an offer to return to
the stage. It's from abroad" Conclud-