The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-31
"The Dark Star
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS
The Depths of the Cafe des Bulgars
Ring With the Din of Blows as
The Trio Is Trapped
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS

There was a horrid sound from
the stairs, where Curfoot and an
other man were killing a waiter.
Strange, sinister faces appeared
everywhere from the smoke-filled
club rooms; Stull came out into the
hallway below and shouted up
through the stair well:
Say, Eddie. For Christ's sake
come down here, There's a mob
outside on the street, and they're
tearing the iron shutters on the
cafe4"
Curfoot Immediately started
downstairs: Brandes. pistol in hand,
came slowly out Of the club rooms.
still leering. his slitted, greenish
eyes almost phosphorescent in the
semi-obscurity.
Suddenly he caught sight OF Use
Dumont standing close behind Sen
goun and Neeland on the landing
above.
by God!" he shouted to Curfoot.
Here she is. Doc! Tell your men!
Tell them she's up here on the next
hoorr'
Sengoun Immediately fred at
Brandes, who did not return the
shot but went plunging downstairs
into the smoky obscurity below.
Make Hasty Exit.
FComs orr roared Sengoun to
Neeland, starting forward with lev
eled weapon. They've all gore
crazy, and it's time we were get
ting out OF this!'
Quick" whispered NeeIand to
Isle Dumont Follow me down
stairs. It's the only chance for
you now!7
But the passageway was blocked
by a struggling, cursing, painting
crowd, and they were obliged to re-
treat into the club rooms.
u the sale de jeu. Ali Babas
held fast by three men dressed as
walters, suddenly tripped up two
OF them. turned. and leaped for the
doorway. The two men who had
been tripped scrambled to their
feet and tore after him When they
reached the hallway the Eurasian
was gone: but all OF a sudden there
came the crash OF a spIintered door
from the landing above; and the
dim corridor rang with the fright
ful screa ming Of a woman.
observation-disclosures grill"
Etammered Ilse Dumont; The
girl locked in! Oh. my God!-my
God! Karl Breslau Is killing herr
Neeland sprang into the hall and
leaped up the stairs; but the three
men disguised as waters had ar
rived before him
And there, across the threshold
OF the bedroom, backed up fiat
against the shattered, door, Ali
Bahia was already lighting for MS
life, and the frightened Russian
girl crept out from the bedroom
behind him and ran to Neeland for
protection.
Twice Eeeland aimed at Ali Baba,
but could not bring himself to fire
at the bleeding, rabid object which
snarled and slavered and bit and
kicked. regardless of the blows
raining on him. At last one OF his
assailants broke the half demented
creatures arm with . chair: and
the bloody. battered thing squeaked
like a crippled rat and darted away
amid the storm OF blows descend
ing, limping and houndering up the
attic stairs. his broken arm flap
ping with every Gasping bound.
Retreat Halted By Sounds
After him staggered his sweat
ing and exhausted assailants, reel
ing past Neeland and Use Dumont
and the terrified Russian girl who
crouched behind them But. half
way up the stairs all three halted
and stood cIinging to the banisters
as though listening to something
on the floor above them
Neeland heard il, too; from the
room came a ripping. splintering
sound. as though people on the
states were prying up the bolted
scuttle. The three men on the
stairs hesitated a moment longer;
then turned to flee, too late; a hail
OF pistol shots swept the. attic
stairs; all three men came pitch
ing and tumbling down to the land
ing.
Two Of them lay still: one rose
Immediately and limped on again
down the hallway, calling over the
the banisters to those below:
1.-The Germans on the leads ave
busted into the garnet! Breslau
Is up ere! Send along those Ameri-
can gunner, or somebody what can
shoot"
He was a grey-haired English
man, smooth shaver and grim; and,
as he stood there at the head of the
further stairs, breathing heavily,
awaiting aid from below, he said to
NeeIand cooIly enough:
You'd better go below. sir. We
'ad our orders to take this BreSlaU
rat alive. but we can't do it now,
and there's like to be a 'orrid mess
ere directly"
"Can we get through below"
"You cam" said the man signif1-
cantiy. but they'll be OBTAINING one
o them ladies at the door"
DO you mean me-" said Use
Dumont
Eyes. ma'am. do"
Too Quick for IIse.
She sprang toward the attic stair
way. but the British agent whipped
out a pistol and covered her.
NO" he said grimly. You're
wanted below. Go down."
She came slowly back to where
Ncelsnd was standing.
You'll have to take your chance
below" he said under his breath.
III stand by you to the end"
She smiled and continued on to-
ward the stairs where the English
agent stood Necland and the Rus
sian girl followed her.
The agent said!
There's 'ell to way below. sir"
The depths OF the house rang
with with the infPrn din of blows