Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-24

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Rahncc sat in her seance room.
Her Hindu attendant entered and
bowed low obcisance.
one calling himself the Hidden
Hand desires to consult thee. oh.
Powerful one" he muttered In strange
dialect.
The Yosa Rahnee started with sur.
prise. As though she had heard the
name. but betrayed nothing more.
admit him." she signed
The Hindu backed away and threw
open the doors from a reception-room
beyond
From this room entered Verda and
The Hidden Hand. bent on mission
which her master had only partly di-
vu!gcd TO her.
Ncrda stared curiously. There was
an imposing woman Of we'll preserved
middle age seated on throne. arrayed
in rich robes OF the Orient. To the
right was cabinet such as mediums
employ. To the left was tall clock
which licked impressivcly.
Rahnee rose from her chair and ex-
tended her hand TO them. while the
turbaned Hindu stood at one side with
his hand on his sword as though guard
ing his mistress. Eerda continued to
stare.
Il have heard OF your power"
munbled the Hidden Hand in a low
quesccnce.
Then the Hidden Hand produced the
explosive packet and handed it 10
kahnee. who pressed il &c her fore
head.
You seek the girl whose handprln,s
arc the same as the baby handprnts
in this packet"
The Hidden Hand bowed in acknowl-
edsmen, of her cleverness-and
winkcd. She understood-and wink ed
back. Nerda looked apprehcnsivcly
from this mummcry that was 10 i'm
press her TO the Hindu.
Strange Developments.
Suddenly both Vcrda and the Hidden
Hand started !nvo!untarily. There was
low wail--half growl. half yelp. a
thing OF terror. II seemed to come
from the depths-mufled--aln as II
from the clock Itself. The Hidden Ha nd
quickly recovered himself
Just then the clock door opened and
another Hindu stepped forth. stopping
amazed and chagrined as If at reveal
ing secret TO strangers The clock
door was false. the pendulum swing
ing independently and having no con-
nec;ion with the clock above. which
had it's own works. a dark passage
was disclosed
"Advancc" ordered Rahnee TO the
Hindu. who came forward.
The sacred Tiger grows worse and
we have no sacrihcc."
As he said it. his eyes wandered to
Nerda. Her very glance suggested
human sacrifice. Verda shrank back.
as wiki wave OF her hand Rahnee
ncEatived 10 the Hindu.
But the Hidden Hand now moved
closer and leaned over Rahnee. whis-
pcr!ng. and he finished IF bring this
girl here. then you will have sacri-
ice
Rahnee agreed. while the Hindu eyes
cleaned. She rose and moved over TO
a cabinet. reckoning Verda. who fol-
lowed fcarfully. Rahnce took a small
her.
Paint the portieres OF Doris's room
i'll the form OF a man" she directed
And" added the Hidden Hand mean
acingly, speak TO Doris of her dead
father just before she sleeps. Rahnec
VIII do the rest"
In whispers inaudible Rahnee and
tho Hidden Hand continued planning
until finally with Verda. he went cut !
Below, in subtcrranean vault or
cellar. might have been seen large
room. Al one end was a cage, and in
the cage. pacing up and down, flashing
his tail and in fury. a huge. splcn-
didly marked tiger.
Before the cage. In scmicircle,
Hindus who had fed TO New York,
others the dupes OF the Yoga Rahnce
The tiger tugged rcstlcssly at his
chain as though he would gladly have
dcvoured the very dcvotces before him.
Truly the sacred tiger demanded
sacrifice.
In her apartment, Martha, the faith
full old housekeeper 10 whom Doris re-
treated whenever in doubt. sat before
Il table throwing cards
She had just turned up the Jack OF
Diamonds and the Queen OF Hearts, as
Doris and Ramsay entered.
II See a Wedding
Whats this?" laughed Doris. hap |
PLY running ever to her and throwing |
her arms about her neck affectionately, |
while Ramsay stood behind. smiling |
down with kindly contempt at the |
cards.
I'm telling fortunes by cards" re-
turned Martha. land l see a wedding" |
she added smiling knowingly at them, |
though Ramsay waved the cards aside, !
in favor OF exchanging glance with !
Doris Come, sit down and let me
finish"
Doris sat down. but net before Ram
say had taken from her the precious
locket. paced to the other side OF the
room, and hidden II carefully in a secret
place. Then he turned back to them.
on. exclaimed Martha, as the
Queen of Spades fell between the Jack
of Diamonds and the Queen of Hearts.
The Queen Of Spades is coming be-
tween the lovers
Doris laughed and looked at Ramsay.
The thought OF Verda was in both
minds. With a frown Ramsay reached
for the cards and jumblcd them, Doris
laughing gleefully.
Really" he apologized, with a glance
at his watch, II must go-due at the
Secret Service chiefs Office in half an
hour-barely time to get there Now.
Good night, dear he fingered as he
prolonged each precious moment at the
door.
Doris closed the door and came back
TO Martha. Eoth laughed as they
locked at the cards. But was there n |
line apprehension?
Not ten minutes later there was a |
knock on tho door, and Martha opcned
1T with the startled exclamation,