Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-27
The >1.I:1erlk4>S.
W IN ROBERT " CHAMBERS ~ WI

extended hand; and he snapped off
his light and ducked as the level
pistol-flame darted through the dark
ness.
The next second he had her in his
grasp; held her writhing and twist
ing; and, through the confused tram
pie and heavy breathing, he noticed
curious cracking noise as though the
clothing she wore were made of pa
per
The struggle in pitch darkness
was violent, but brief; she managed
to fire again as he caught her right
arm and felt along it until he touched
the desperately clenched pistol. Then,
still clutching her closed fingers, he
pulled the flashlight from his side
pocket and threw it's full radiance
straigha into her face.
Let go your pistol" he breathed
She strove doggedly to retain it.
but her slender fingers slowly re-
Taxed under his merciless grip: the
pistol fell and he kicked the pearl
handled. nickel-plated weapon across
the dusty board floor.
They both were painting; her right
arm, rigid, still remained in his pow
erful clutch. He released it present
ly, stepped back and played the light
over her from head to foot.
She was deathly white. Under her
smart straw hat which had been
pushed awry, the contrast between
her black hair and eyes and her
chalky skin was startling.
What are you doing in this
house?" he demanded, still breathing
heavily from eXertion and excitement
She made an effort:
rs it your house?" she gasped.
1T isn't yours, is tt?' he retorted.
She made no answer.
Il Il oh of q
She lifted her black eyes and star
ed at him. Her breast rose and fell
with her rapid breathing, and she
placed both hands over it as though
to quiet it.
l 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 confu-
sion of flashlight and darkness they
reeled, locked together, but he caught
her arm again, jerking it so Violent
ly into the air that he lifted her off
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 ceremony he
pulled out his handkerchief, caught
her firmly, reached for her other
arm, jerked it behind her back and
a chair up and pushed her on it.
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.
AS she made no reply, he went over
and picked UP the knife and the pis-
toll The knife was silver-mounted
Kurdish dagger; the engraved and
inlaid blade appeared to be dull and
rusty. He examined it for a few
moments, glanced inquiringly at her
where she sat, pale and mute on the
chair, with both wrists tied behind
her.
antiques" he said. Your dagger is
certainly collectors gem, and your
revolver is equally out of date. l
recommend an automatic the next
time you contemplate doing murder"
Walking up to her he looked curl
ously into her dark eyes, but he could
detect no expression in them.
why did you come here"' he de-
manded
No answer.
Did you come to get an olivewood
box bound with silver?"
A slight color tinted the ashy pal
lor under her eyes.
He turned abruptly and swept the
furniture with his Searchlight, and
saw on a table her coat, gloves, wrist
bag and furIed umbrella; and beside
them what appeared to be her suit
case, open. 1t had canvas and
leather cover; he walked over to the
table, turned back the cover of the
suitcase and revealed polished box
Of oliveWOod, heavily banded by some
metal resembling silver.
Inside the box were books, photo
n lab
he recognized as the Yellow Devil,
pair of revolvers, a dagger very
much like the one he had Wrested
from her. But there were no mill
tary plans there.
He turned to his"prisoner:
rs everything hcre?' he asked
sharply:
He picked up her wrist bag and
opened it, but discovered only some
money, Il handkerchief, a spool of
thread and packet of needles.
There was a glass lamp on the ta-
BILE He managed to light it finally;
turned off his flashlight and exam
ined the contents of the box again
thoroughly. Then he came back to
where she was seated.
Get up" he said
She looked at him sulleniy without
moving.
Il m In q hurry, ne EepeSttcu' So
ug I'm going to search YOU"
At that she bounded to her feet;
What" she exclaimed furious!y.
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 clothing,
he said impatientiy. And, as she
made no motion to comply: IF yiu
don't. I'll do it fOT YOU.
You dare lay your hand on me-.
she famed.
You treacherous little cat, do you
think I'll hesitate?" he retorted. do
you imagine / retain any respect 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
steamer to catch, and I'm going to do
both. And if you don't instantly
hand out those papers you've con-
cealed I'll have no more compunc-
ton in taking them by force than I'd
have in stripping an ear of corn.
Make up your mind and make 1t up
quick
you mean you'd strip-me" she