Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-03
THE
SECRET
HOUSE
BY
EDGAR WALLACE
Author of 1.-THE Clue of the
Twisted Candle" "Kate Plus
10" 1.-The Man Who
Knew" etc.
CHAPTER v.

q
The fog was still heavy, and the
blurred street lamps looked CHASTITY
in the yellow mist, when the little
newsboy messenger, the first half of
his mission performed, struck brisk
ly riverward to complete his BUSH
ness. He disposed OF HIS papers by
the simple expedient' of throwing
them into y street refuse bin. He
jumped on a passing bus, and after
half an hours cautious drive reached
Southwark. He entered one, of the
narrow streets leading from the Bor-
ough. Here the gas lamps were
fewer. and the intersecting streets
more narrow and gloomy.
He plunged down dark and crab
bed way, CHANGING warily behind him
now and then to see If he was being
followed.
Here, between invisible walls, the
fog hung thick and warm and sticky,
crowding up close. with a kind of
blowsy intimacy that whispered the
atmosphere Of the place. Occasion
ally. close to his ear, snatches of
loose song burst out, or a coarse
face doomed head high thru the reek.
But the boy was upon his native
heath and scuttled along. whistling
softly between closed teeth, as, with
= dexterity born of long practice, he
skirted slush and garbage sinks,
slipped around the blacker CULTS that
denoted unguarded basement holes.
and eluded the hideous shadows that
lurched by In the gloom.
Hugging the wall. he presently be-
came aware. OF footsteps behind him.
He rounded q corner. and. turning
swiftly, collided with something
which grabbed him with great hands.
Without hesitation, the lad leaned
down and set his teeth deep into the
hairy arm.
The man let 60 with q hoarse bell
low OF rage and the boy, darting
across tho alley, could hear him
stumbling after him in blind search
OF the narrow way.
As he sped along q door suddenly
opened IN the blank wall beside him,
and q stream of ruddy light gushed
out, catching him square within its
radiance, mud-spattered, starry eyed,
vivid.
A man stood framed in the door
way.
"Come In" he commanded, briefly.
The boy obeyed. Surreptitiously he
wiped the wet and mud from his
face and tried to reduce his wild
breathing.
The room which he entered was
mcaxer and stale-smelling, with bare
floor and starred and tagging wall
paper; unfurnished save for q, batter
ed deal table and some chairs.
He sank into one of them ana
stared with frank curiosity past his
employer, who had often entrusted
him with messages requiring secrecy,
past his employers companion. to
the third figure In the room-a pros
trats figure which lay quite still un-f
der the heavy folds Of "a long dark
ulster with Its face turned to the
wall.
wen r. It was singularly agree
able voice which aroused him, soft
and well bred, but with faint for.
eign accent. The speaker was his
employer, q slender dark man, with
. finely carved face. immobile as the
Sphinx, He had laid aside his In
verness and top hat and showed
himself In evening dress with a large
= thought too larse-but-
tonhole Of Parma violets. which sent
forth q faint fragrance.
OF the personality OF the man the.
messenger knew nothing more than
that he was foreign, eccentric In q
quiet way, lived in grand house
near Portland Place. and rewarded
him handsomely for his occasional
services. That the grand house was
= hotel at which Poltavo had run up
an uncomfortable bill he could not
know. ~
The boy related his adventures OF
the evening, not emitting to mention
his late pursuer.
The man listened quietly. brooding,
his elbows upon the table, his tn
scrutable face propped in the crotch
OF his hand. A ruby. set quantity in
Q cobra's head, cleaned from ring
upon his little finger. Presently he
reused.
That's all tonight, my boy" he
said, gravely.
He drew out his purse, extracted
a sovereign, and laid It in the mes-
senger's hand.
And this" he said. softly. holding
up a second gold piece, "is for-dis-
erection! You comprehend"
OH
unmixed with terror, at the still, re-
cumbent figure in the corner, num-
bled an assent and withdrew. Out in
the dampness of the fog, he took a
long, deep breath.
As the door closed behind him, the
door of an inner room, opened and
came out. He had pre-
ceded the messenger by five min
utes. The young exquisite leaned
back in his chair, and smiled into the
somber eyes Of his companion.
"At last" he breathed, softly. "The
thing moves. The wheels are be-
ginning to revolve!"
The other nodded gloomily, his
glance straying off toward the cor
ner of the room.
They've got to revolve q, mighty
lot more before the nights done!" he
replied. with heavy Significance.
7 needn't tell YOU" he continued,
that we must move in this venture
with extreme caution. A single mis-
step at the outset, the slightest
breath of suspicion, and pff! the en-
tire superstructure falls to the