The Washington times., 1918-03-25
Read Right On in Today's
Installment.
Part One-(Continued)

sI dare not, may not" Lillian
sat up on the sofa Forget that
I:hsve told you anything, Charlie,
or. you may be exposing me to
most fearful danger. See. here"
She tore the black velvet band
from her throat as she spoke, and
turned TO the young man See
a mark that l must carry TO my
Erlave," she cried. "and realize the
fate that awaits me II l break my
oath. of secrecy"
Charlie Epstone uttered an eX-
cianration OF horror and Gazed at
tho SCARED neck with dilated eyes.
oh. my God. my God." he NUT
tered. lis that the mark of man or
beast? Are you in the power OF
the thing that killed Goldsmith"
Lillian made no answer, only rose
slcSly TO her feet and held out her
hand.
"Good by" she said. in low tones.
They have called me. and must
go"
J. She Is Trapped by PietrO.
Ethan FASTENED TO Adderley, ar
riytnE. as was her wont on such
occasions, toward the evening. From
the. station she walked through the
little mushroom town, sllirted the
wood and presently reached the
lodge. The door was opened before
she had time to knock. and a. soon
as she had crossed the threshold,
shut sharply behind her. ..
y tall dark man, who had been
seated at the deal table, bottle OF
wine and the remains or some
coarse food before him. rose at
once, an unpleasant smile curling
the corners Of his lips and expos
Ing his large white teeth TO view.
i:Ah, miladi. I welcome you"
:"Sou, Pietro." Lillian started back
in surprise. Her eyes were anxious,
and she cast a hasty glance at the
door by Which she had entered.
ANOTHER man, big and swarthy as
his Companion. stood with his back
TO ii as il 10 destroy all thought OF
escape.
"Where is Luke" Lillian turned
from one to the other with incrcas-
Ing anxiety.
:-He is not here. He is not COM
Ing" answered the man by the
t6he plscidly.
'"He wired for me He signed
the telegram with the usual phrase"
do ] also not know the usual
phrase?" smiled Pietro. He spoke
with a marked Italian accent. and
he had the lazy gestures OF a Nea-
pplitan- For what was / so long
ia your employ, milady?"
Acted as Though lie We're Master.
II bade you never 10 return here
-Tncyer see me aEain-since-since
you dared TO act double part"
IAlIian raised her voice ansrily.
This man had always yielded her
Seryile obedience TIL now-sud now
he was adopting the attitude OF a
master.
,'Tes. you were hard upon me. and
We OF the south do rot forget" He
had raisea from his seat and WAS
leaning easily over the table. you
should have thought OF that milady.
You place yourself in my hands.
you undsrstsnd. ] know too much.
and what know ] make us. or"
lillian felt herself trapped. How
easily she had walked into the snare
prepared for her. Yet how could
Ply Aa'o hnV"n. She attempted
though q little lanely--to assume
her wonted dOmineerinS mien.
SO my presence was not required
Ats1dderiey? There IS no one hereZ"
FSo one but myself. and Antonio,
who came TO keep me company and
Ito help me. 81 ! need help" The
Italian smiled again. ss 81 amused
AZ his own lscei.ouSneSs
'4jow dare you Lillian turned Ia
the other man, open that.doar and
let me out sho cried impcriouSIy.
'.>St once. DO ysu hear me-"
Antonio only smiled and shook his
hssd, He seemed rs determined as
his friend 70 maintain his good hu-
neB -.
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