The Washington times., 1919-04-21
"The Dark STAR
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS
Neeland Enters Darkened House and
Is Confronted by Mysterious WO-
man Who Shoots at Him.

1t isn't yours, is it," he retorted.
She made no answer.
why did you shoot at me-
She lifted her black eyes and
stared at him. Her breast rose and
fell with her rapid breathing. and
she placed both hands over it as
though to quiet it.
Come" he said. I'm in a hurry.
want an explanation from
YOU"
The words died on his lips as she
whipped a knife out of her bosom
and flew at him. Through the con-
fusion OF fash light and darkness
they reeIed, locked together. but he
caught her arm again, jerking II
so violently into the air that he lift
ed her of her feet.
That's about all for tonight" he
painted. twisting the knife out OF
her helpless hand and flinging it
behind him. Without further cere-
mony. he pulled ou5 his handker-
chief. caught her firmly, reached
for her other arm. jerked it behind
her back, and tied both wrists.
Then he dragged a chair up and
pushed her on il.
Her hat had fallen off. and her
hair sagged to her neck. The frail
stuff OF which her waist was made
had been badly torn, too, and hung
in rags from her right shoulder.
who are you?" he demanded.
Examines Knife Carefully.
AS she made no reply. he went
over and he picked up the knife and
the pistol. The knife was a silver
mounted Kurdish dagger; the en-
graved and inlaid blade appeared to
be dull and rusty. He examined il
for a few moments. glanced inquir-
ingly at her where she sat, pale
and mute on the chair, with both
wrists tied behind her.
You seem to be a Connoisseur Of
antiques" he said. Your dagger
is certainly a collectors gem, and
your revolver is equally out of date.
I recommend an automatic the next
time you contemplate doing muir
der
Walking up. to her he looked
curiously into her dark eyes. but he
could detect no expression in them.
"why did you come hers:" he de-
manded
No answer.
did you come TO get an olive
wood box bound with silver"
A slight color tinted the ashy
pallor under her eyes.
He turned abruptly and swept the
furniture with his searchlight. and
saw on a table her coat. gloves.
wrist bag, and furled umbrella:
and beside them what appeared to
be her suitcase, open. 1t had a
canvas and leather cover: he walk
ed over to the table. turned back
the cover Of the suitcase and re-
vealed a polished box OF olive wood,
heavily banded by some metal re-
sembling silver.
Inside the box were books, photo
graphs, a bronze Chinese figure,
which he recognized as the Yellow
Devil, a pair of revolvers, a dagger
very much like the one he had
wrested from her. But there were
no military plans there.
He turned to his prisoner:
rs everything here?" he asked
sharply.
He picked up her wrist bag and
opened it, but discovered only some
money, a handkerchief. a spool Of
thread and packet Of needles.
Examines Contents Carefully.
There was a glass lamp on the
table. He managed to light it final
ly; turned off his flash light, and
examined the contents of the box
again thoroughly. Then he came
back to where she was seated.
Get up" he said.
She looked at him suIlenly with
out moving
I'm in a hurry" he repeated;
"get up. I'm going to search you"
At that she bounded to her feet.
What" she exclaimed furiously.
But he caught hold of her, held
her, united the handkerchief, free
ing her wrists.
Now. pull out those papers you
have concealed under your cloth
ing" he said impatiently. And, as
she made no motion to comply: "If
you don't. I'll do it for you"
You dare lay your hand on me.'
she famed.
Your treacherous little cat, do
you think I'll hesitate" he retorted.
do you imagine I retain any re-
spect for YOU or your person? Give
me those papers.
Il have no papers"
You are lying. Listen to me
once for all: I've a train to catch
and a steamer to catch. and I'm 60
ing TO do both. And il you don't
instantly hand out those papers
you've concealed I'll have no more
compunction in taking them by
force than I'd have in stripping an
ear Of corn. Make up your mind
and make il UP quick
You mean you'd strip-me" she
stammered. scarlet to her hair.
That's what ] mean, you lying
little thief. That's Just what ]
mean. KICK and sqUall as you like.
IlI TAX" those papers with me if
have 10 take your clothing too"
Struggle for Weapon.
ErcarhlcSs. infuriated, she looked
desperately around her. caught
sight Of the Kurdish dagger. lcapcd
ar D.. and for th" third time found
herself struggling in his arms.
"DoH't she @aspcd. Let me 20,
I-TU give YOU what you want"
"DD you mean IT."
'Tea"
IIe released tho dishcycIIcd girl,
who rhrank away from him. But
the devil himself glowed in her
black eyes.
"Go out Of the room she said.
"If I'm 10 get the papers for you"
- can't trust you nc answered.
"IlI turn my back" And he walk
cd over 20 the oIive-wOOd box,
where the weapons lay.
Standing there he heard. present
lythe rustic Of crumpling papers,
heard a haIf-smothered sob, waited