The Washington times., 1917-08-19
HCTANER The q IN Man Fish '
A Strange Story of Mystery and
Fauaticism
FnnGHciSnI


diers' footsteps in the distance.
While he was absorbed in his men
tai search, Severac suddenly started.
Some one had touched him on the
shoulder, almost roughly.
He turned quickly and saw a SOL
dier with his finger on his lips stand
ing by the bed.
Severac did not open his mouth.
The man slipped a little piece of
folded paper into the prisoners hand,
then a ball of black string, and with
out word stepped softly backward to
the door, against which he stood mo-
tionless, with closed eyes, clasping his
two hands upon the barrel OF his bay
onet rife, whose butt rested on the
pavement.
Severac was dumfounded, but his
heart beat with a happy presentiment.
severae turned oPce more with his
face to the wall and quickly unrolling
the paper, he saw several lines in ex-
tremely fine writing.
Tonight unroll the string through
the window: when you feel II grow
heavy draw 1t up gently. Attached to
II you viii find a miniature apparatus
for cutting metal by means OF oxygen
which Martiali has just invented. At
tached to it will be directions for
making 1t cut the window bars.
AT midnight the same soldier who
gives you this will be on guard. Then
you are to proceed. We will await
you in a launch under the window.
May you be given skill and courage.
THE FRIENDS OF ARCHILIEFF."
To convince himself that he was not /
being made the sport OF a dream
Severac reTead the strange note three I
times. When he began toread for the
fourth time he noticed that he knew
It by heart.
Then he turned and looked at the
soldier.
The man placed his finger on his
lips to counsel silence and motioned
Severac to tear 1t up and swallow 1t.
He understood, and tearing up the pa 1
per. he chewed IL thoroughly and /
swallowed 1t.
Again, he looked at the soldier, who, J
still silent, leaned his head on his
open right hand and took the posture
which in all sign languages conveys
the idea of sleep. .
Severac obeyed. He nrst took care
to hide the bail of twine under the
mattress OF his camp bed, then turn
ed toward the wall.
But an overmasterinE Joy kept
him awake. He went over the
words of the letter in his mind.
They were certainly easily under
stood.
"The Friends of ArchTlIen'' clear
ly indicated Vera's companions,
Tchonvine, Vampa, Martiali and
Gravilo.
They had undoubtedly been noti-
fed by a telegram from some Mar
seilles companions in communica-
tion with the Geneva anatkbiSls.
and had come at once. = -
The soldier was quite probably an
anarchist engaged like so many
others in the marine Infantry
through distaste for the too seden-
tary life and too rigid discipline OF
the metropolitan barracks.
There was nothing to do but walt
patiently for midnight They had
let Severac keep his watch. He
looked at 1t, and found that 1t
lacked ten minutes OF Ave i
Twilight fell swiftly IN the room.
because the window faced the east
and did not in consequence receive
any OF the rays OF the setting sun.
At o'clock exactly the same in
creased sound OF clicking heels was '
heard in the passage. The sentry :
was being relieved again. Sevcrac
looked at his confederate, whose
lips said:
AT midnight"
Severac smiled. nodded his head and
1nce more turned toward the wall.
Accompanying tho new sentinels
was man who carried a reflectinE
lamp and n basket. He hung the
lamp to a nail near the door, and one
BY one he took from the basket q
platter, a spoon, an orderly's can !
teen, some ammunition, bread,
package OF tobacco. and some ciEa- !
retta papers. Having laid 1t all out
on the table, he took the basket and
went out.
When the door was closed Severac
sprnng from the bed. stretched him
self as II he had just wakened, and
seating himself on the table. he be
gan to eat.
The platter held n sort OF stew
made OF meat and white beans, and
he chnteen was filled with a light
wine.
As he had not been supplied with "A
knife, Severac was obliged to break
his bread. He ate with n hearty rel
sh.
Then he rolled n cigarette. which
he lighted at the lamp under the
and attentive eye OF the
sentinel.
When the cigarette was finished he
went 10 bed again wholly dressed.
CTo be Continued Tomorrow