The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-09-08
CHAPTER xI-Continued.
H.

Let what mouse was this that she
should be here? How did it happen
that we were at the same place? Had
she come voluntarily; or a prisoner?
Had she been tricked into coming? or
| brought by force? and was she held
| here helpless to escape? l tried the
| door SOftly-it was locked. This.
coupled with the fact that the key was
upon the outside, served to answer
| the main question. However she
came, she was now being held a
prisoner. We must both be in the
| same hands, in the INSCRIPTIONS
grasp Of this desperate gang of Grim
inals, determined to gain from us at
any cost the secret we were supposed
| to share. I hesitated, but for only
moment, debating with myself the best
course to pursue. Should 1 endeavor
! to escape from the house alone. and
then return to her rescue with help?
Or face the greater danger of attempt
Ing to take her with me? The former
move involved exposure of her whole
connection with the affair. and l was
afraid to take upon myself the re-
| SpOnsibi4ity. | knew not who she was,
|
this mesh of crime. l feared Harris
! knowledge the evidence he might dis
! close. and what his passion for revenge
! might drive him to do. if he once
! sound his game deciSively blocked. 1t
| would be better for me to tell her al!
! first and then act at her direction.
| reinSered the key in the lock
! noi~elessly. shot back the bolt and
opened the door. stepping quickly
Within TO instantly shut out The glare
OF light. Ii seemed to me this was
accomplished in utter silence, but, as
! the door lutche3 behind me, she was
upon her feft, plainly startled by the
! intrusion
Who are you? What does this
mean?-why, Mr.. Severn
Yes" responded quickly, yet
making no effort to advance, "you
have nothing to fear; only do not
| speak loudly"
But please explain. IL am rot
afraid of you, of course but how do
| you happen to be here?"
perhaps you will permit me to
ask question first, which may sound
ridiculous enough-where am I?'
you do not know that even? I
| can at least answer with certainty"
| her cOmpOsure returning; you are at
PAT LIE Compile street."
"WaldrOn's house; that possibility
| never occurred to me. Sounds strange,
doesn't it? But the truth is l was
brought here unconscious"
you were attacked?''
"Slugged in Costigan's saloon"
explained shortly. ''It took three of
them TO do it. but they did a good
job That must have been about
midnight What time is it nova"
''It is after four who are they?"
Harris. Waldron and COstigan-
some combination"
"But why should they slug you,
Mr. Severn?"
simply because of my connection
with the mysterious Miss Gessler," [
explained. "Harris had chosen to assO-
ciate us together, believing we know
who murdered and robbed Alva, and
where the spOiIs are hidden. They
endeavored first to put me through the
third degree, and when l refused to
squeaI-as you know simply because
possessed no knowledge to communl-
cate-they resOrted to force, and here
/ am"
Her eyes, wide open, questioning,
were upon my face.
"They-they asked you about me?
Why should they suppose you know
anything?"
"Iargely because we were together
at Perond's. I presume. Harris
claims to know you-who you are i
that true?'
"It NAV be- she admitted. what
has haDnened tonight almost convinces
mo came here willingly only to find
myself prisoner. Sarah Waluron
+oIanhoned me that she was ill, and
needed me- l have known her ever
since I was a girl; we were from the
eane town. so really thought nothing
unusual OF her call. I have seen no
ono here since / came-no men.
maop-and did not remove my clothes
in anticipation Of being called.
"She claimed to be here aloneE
.srbere are rooners on the floor
below, but 7 met none.
"Rut I found your door locked
insisted.
~rh,t is very strange. I heard
,o1bipg Perhaps if you will explain
what frey asked you, we may come to
some understanding of what this an
mems. Does Harris accuse me OF the
robbery" r,o ,,-ov
eyes and of the murder me way
-. toIIs - the thing does sound rather
uorv" confessed regretfufly, oot
" $50 the time mad arrived for
~1a;n sneech between us. "At least
pI" 80 rcsitfon to cOntravert his