The evening world., 1920-05-14


for just this foul purpose
became more apparent. The mar
row passage followed. my hands
touching either wall, was not straight
but curved TO the right, and it
dawned on me that IL slkirted the
main apartment, where, in ali proba-
bility, the conference was being held.
This accounted for the fact that no
CLEAN of light was visible, and that,
in anticipation of their use, separate
and small rooms had been con-
! structed, connected together yet so
Isolated as to permit of the utmost
privacy. One OF these Harris had left
me In. and now found that the pas
sage led me not direct to The main
apartment, but To another smaller
room, whose door barred my progress.
This, / figured out, might be the
same into which Wine had entered in
search OF Alva, when he deserted me
In the front hallway.
| listened intently but heard no
sound within and, satisfied the room
was without occupants. venturcd
finally to gain a glimpse inside. With
eye at narrow crack l could per-
ceive most Of the interior as a gas
jet turned low shed q dim, blush
CLEAN sufficient for revealment. Paus-
ing only moment entered. My ears
caught the sound of voices, the words
indistinct
My range of vision preoluded my
seeing these few in whom was most
deeply interested, but | had no diffl-
Guilty whatever in overhearing their
voices and grasping the sense Of what
they were saying. AS a general thing
the words used were English, al
though occasionally some one re-
quested an explanation in Spanish,
which was Immediately given. drew
the impression from something which
was said that there were those pres
ent who did not understand the latter
tongue. However, almost the first
sentence overheard convinced me that
l had arrived too late to learn directly
the nature of those instructions re-
ceived from Washington. Alva was
asking a question.
But we are ready to act now" he
said impatiently, his foreign accent
faint, yet plainly perceptible, have
been ready for a month past. What
necessity then Is there for further
delay?"
The woman. whom he evidently
addressed, must have been very close
to the door; her voice soft, but speak
ing with clear enunciation, sounded
almost within reach OF my hand
THE reason is Valparaiso, of
course" she said, at is not Wash
ington at all. When you strike, the
people must be ready there. This is
not rapine, 1t is war. / said ten days
vet l do not know positively, the
real aim may not be what we suppose
at present. The final orders might
arrive tomorrow, tonight even. You
say you are prepared, Senior. That is
what / was sent to learn. and l find
you are not prepared. Now l shall
CO."
must have failed to grasp the full
meaning of what she said, or else 1t
never occurred to me that her retire
ment would be made through this
pushed II wide open before | realized
the necessity Of retreat, and / was
hemmed in behind its barrier, fortu-
nately securely hidden from the eyes
OF those in the larger apartment.
Some one-Alva, no doubt, from his
words and voice-was beside her as
she emerged, and, indeed, It might
have been his hand that swung the
door back against me. l stood there
startled, unable to move, afraid that
my very breathing might be over
heard.
You leave at midnight, you say.
Senorita," he protested in Spanish;
but surely you intend TO remain here
at present."
Until you reach some final deci-
sion-yes; that Is my mission"
81 shall see to that at once; We will
draw lots. You can wait either in
this room or another Just beyond
Promise you Will not go until see
and talk witt YOU again"
Il promise that-so you are not too
long. must make that train
you shall make 1t, My car Is
only two blocks away, and ] pledge
myself to have you there on time.
All this business can be attended TO
in half an hour"
He stepped back, partially closing
the door, while she turned, her own
hand on the latch, facing me. Her
eyes stared directly into mine, her
face whitening under the light her
teeth shutting down close against
the red lips as though to repress "a
scream. She was startled almost be
You'd control. yet mastered the fright
instantly. Her eyes darkened, one |
hand pressed copyulsively against her
heart; then she glanced about at the |
partially open door, and silently !
closed 1t tightly.
"What-what are you uoluB mere
she. gasped in English, her voice |
"Listening?"
mo" / lied, seeing but one possible |
means Of escape, and hoping thus to
prevent her sounding an immediate |
alarm. 81 was waiting for friend |
who is inside. I just came into this !
room"
"rrom where?'
Back yonder. | got tired Of sit |
ting alone in the dark"
She glanced past me into the |
mouth of the black passage. Her |
courage was quickly coming back, |
and with il flash into her checks. |
You actually belong here then? |
You are one OF these menu
Not exactly" | had TO admit. 81 |
know one Of them very well, and !
he stationed me out there
"Oh, 1 see-on guard
'"ThatS about it
"You were told the wordY'
"Of course
what was it?'
"Cervantes.'
She appeared puzzled, doubtful, yet |
to my surprise still held the door |
tightly closed, her eyes searching my |
face.
'Who is the man you know-your |
particular friend?"
hesitated an instant. the name |
escaping me.