The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-06-23
CHAPTER III.
Within the Factory Walls.

I stood as though paralyzed, with
one foot uplifted, a hand pressed
against the wall. unable to move.
There was nothing I could do to avert
discovery, no place in which could
crouch in hiding. The newcomer moved
swiftly, knowing his way through the
darkness, and I had scarcely oppor-
tunity to even glance backward when
he rounded the corner and bumped in
to me.
"What the h-ll!" he exclaimed,
startled at the encounter. "Why, d-n
it, Charlett, what are you slouching
here for? You're Charlett, amt you?"
"Yes," muttered, the assent actually
frightened out of me; then added
lamely, 81 couldn't remember the sig
nal"
The fellow laughed softly, releasing
his grip on my coat.
"If you attended more meetings
you'd be letter perfect" he said. his
English without an accent. 'Where
have you been the last month-out OF
town."
"In Washington" l ventured, pray
ing the swift answer might suffice
"Oh, see," more heartily. $50 you
were the one Alva sent? Did the wom-
an come back with you?"
The woman! Who could he mean
but the same girl who had been wait
ing in the saloon? had ventured al
ready too far to draw back; / must
take yet another chance, an answer.
"Not with me; that would be too
risky. She is here. though"
"Good enough. That means money.
Let's 60 i'm
He pushed past. and I followed, to-
tally unable to determine in my own
mind what to do. The fellow in the
darkness evidently mistook me for
some one Of the gang. His confidence
in my identity as Charlett might win
me entrance-but what then? That I
was not Charlett would certainly be re-
vealed by the first CLEAN Of light, and
I would be helpless. I was alone, un-
armed, and these fellows, beyond ques-
ton, were engaged in desperate
game. I am sure T should never have
ventured it had not my companion
suddenly turned and grasped my
sleeve
"You saw Mendez, of course?"
"Sure."
"And he vouched for her; he says she
is all right?'''
'He chose her; that ought to be
enough"
"H-ll. suppose so, but even Men
dez has made mistakes. Here's the
door"
He raped lightly, his fingers still
gripping my sleeve in grasp of friend
ship. I could have broken away, and
ran for 1t, but something mysterious
held me. some odd fascination of dan
ger I saw nothing, heard nothing, yet
had an instructive feeling that mar.
row wicket had opened in the door,
through which our dim outlines were
being scrutinized. I held my breath
expectantly.
"Whc is thereT' the voice was q
mere whisper, so close as to startle me-
"Gaspar Wine" was the answer, IN
tie same low tone, 1853"
"What word2"
"Cervantes."
'But there are two of you."
"Oh. Ills is one Of Us. It's all right
Juan; I'll vouch for him."
The fellow inside grunbled some
thing in indistincuishahle Spanish, but
opened the door silently, just tar
enough for US to slip through one at a
time | felt Wine press past me, and
was aware that the guard closed ana
barred the door, but could see nothing
not even my own hand before MY eyes
A latch clicked softly. and dim
raw of light broke in upon us from a
revealed passage beyond. 1t was sc
faint as to scarcely render features Wis
lille. and. as my coat collar was Still
upturned, l pressed forward close be-
hind Wine without discovery. l coulo
nerceiye something of the fellow now