Owingsville outlook., 1921-07-14
CHAPTER III-contlnued.

He pressed something In the side
wall. sliding back a panel, and disap-
peared. the rough boards returning in
staring at the spot where he had dis
appeared. Beyond doubt the entrance
awaiting me lay straight ahead, con-
cealed by the hanging curtain. 1
stepped cautiously forward, listening
for some guiding sound from beyond
that barrier. afraid 10 draw II aside
and take a blind plunge into the IN
known. I could detect the murmur Of
voices, several Of them speaking Span
lsh, vet In such low tones could dis
tinCuish Only an occasional emufha-
sized word. There was no door be-
tween us only that thick, hanging cur
tain. and I ventured far enough TO
draw this aside sufficient to peer
through with one eye. Beyond was a
reasonably large room, but so dimly
lighted as TO be scarcely visible from
end to end. could discern men pres
ent, a number Of them, lounging about
on chairs. their outlines being fairly
revealed, but the light was not suffi-
cient to give me any impression of
their faces. II seemed quite possible
that I might slip in unobserved. and
pass among them unrecognized except
through accident But the risk of dis
covery was too great. must find some
other point Of entrance.
The private doorway through which
Wine had disappeared gave me the
thought that there might also be 9th
ers. ! dare not follow after him, but
II there was another opening to be
found I was perfectly willing TO ex-
plOre into fits mysteries. The search
was brief, yet the very nature of the
rough board wall made concealment
impossible. Behind the dangling coats
I uncovered what I sought, and not a
moment too soon. Even as my hand
touched the exposed latch, a murmur
Of voices in the outer entry reached
my ears-there were new arrivals be-
ing questioned. and admitted.
The panel slid back silently in its
grooves. and / peered through the re
vealed opening into absolute darkness.
All could be sure OF, as exhibited by
the dim light Of the passage, was a
single step downward, and then ap-
parently a strip Of earth floor. l dare
not wait and meet those entering:
there was but one choice Of action.
pressed through the orifice, forced the
panel back into place, and stood erect
IN the intense darkness and silence.
listening for the slightest sound.
I was stiu motionless, my heart
beating fiercely, when several men en-
tered the passage l had just left
Pressing my ear against the thin crack
I distinguished words so as TO piece
together scraps of conversation. II
seemed to me there were three voices
one speaking Spanish entirely. the
others using English. One Of the lat
ter spoke first.
"'Tis a dirty night out. but good for
our purpose. You came by motor,
AlOnzoT'
"No. Wine said that was too risky.
I walked from the car line. What's
up? Do you know, CaptainT
The fellow addressed exploded in
Spanish.
"why you call me that? I tell you
my nameT
"Its safe enough In here, but I'll be
| careful outside. What was this meet
ing called forT'
"It was a message from Washing
ton, orders maybe, that we act soon.
I hope IT,"
'From Washington Is Mendez
here?"
"Saprista, no! Can he move with
out a dozen spies at his heels? He find
a messenger no one ever suspect. She
bring the word"
"She? A wOman?"
Sure that was better. No ore
know her; no one ever see her with
our people. 1t was a good trick, and
1t fool the pigs"
But who is the wOmang
The other uttered a gruff exclama-
tion Of disgust.
'Tf I know, You suppose I tell? Not
much, but ! do not know. They trust
hers II not enough? 'Tis my guess
she come special for to do this"
"She is a Chilean thenr
Maybe; maybe American Spanish.
What difference II she be in our serv-
ice? They know what she is; tonight
she is Marie Gessler-it has the sound
of Switzerland. Beyond this / care
nothing"
rBut you have seen her, perhaps?"