The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

we shall be announced," he whisper ed. ''It is a splendid day for this Center that the Illustrious Head shall be with us in person. It will add dignity to the drawing.''
 Garnold was about to ask what the drawing might be, but they were called to the larger room and, hastily adjusting his own and Garnold's masks, Vastly followed the vice pres ident into the hall.
 A score of black robed figures were grouped about table in the center of the room. All made profound obeisance as GarnoId entered and he was conducted by the two officers to place at the head of the table.
 As soon as he had taken his place the president turned to him. Does your excellency desire that we speak in the tongue of holy Rus speaking in the language of the coun- try we adopt7" he asked courteous1y. "In the language of this country" decreed Garnold with a sigh of relief. That they might speak in Russian was a contingency he had not fore seen.
 Thus assured the president launch ed himself into a long speech of vel come and each of those about the I table in turn made a brief greeting. References had been made to the last man upon whom choice had fallen, and it was apparent that his ardor growing cold, he had suffered the death penalty for the renuncia- tion of his vows. With great soIemntty a funeral urn was brought forward and laid upon 1 the table. The crepe which covered 1t was withdrawn and the men all rose. The president turned to Gar hold.
 ] 'fIt is your privilege to draw first, ]" ] he said. You will pardon me if I ap- ply the oath. You solemn1y swear in 1 the name of Holy Russia and the will abide the result of Fate and suf- 1 fer the punishment of the foresworn l should you fail In your purpose if to l you the joyful fortune falls.'' With parched lips Garno1d whis- pered an afgrmative. This was more l serious than he had suspected, but it was too late to escape. He could only
 hope that the lot would not fall to him.
 He thrust his hand into the vase
 and drew out folded paper. He was about to open 1t when the president S
 hand closed over him.
 ''Watt until all have drawn," he 1 admon1shed.
 Repeating the obligation in the
 first person, the president drew bal ] lot; then each man in turn was sworn
 and drew out folded slip.
 As the last man emptted the urn,
 he spread open upon the table a
 blank slip of paper. One by one, in reverse order, the others followed his
 example, and as blank after blank
 was laid upon the table, Garnold's s
 agitation increased.
 At last there remained only the
 president and himself, and with due ] solemnity the former unfolded his pa
 per and showed nothing upon the
 white surface. With trembling hands
 Garold unfolded his, and brought into ) view a skull and crossbones in red.
 Forgetful of ceremony, the others
 crowded about him to congratulate
 him upon his luck and envy him his good fortune. With desperate effort
 Garnold pretended to accept theii congratulations and rejoice In his fate, but he was sick at heart.
 He knew that it was almost i'm possible to escape the revenge of the "reds'' should he endeavor to d1sap 7 pear. His business interests required 5 his continued presence in New Yorl for a year at least It would be I'm possible to hide, and should he de : nounce the Center to the police, othel
 Centers would avenge their comrades ) l even should he be able to secure th' conviction of the consp1rators
 His mind was still busy with plan 3 for escape when Vastly burst int l the circle
 r "We have been betrayed" he cried This is not the Prince Serg1us- lie one of the 3d section, doubtless, tray !. cling as Rial sGarnold. Look at thes