Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-07-29
CHAPTER IiI-contlnued.

He pressed something In the side
wall. sliding back a panel, and disap-
peared, the rough boards returning in
stantly into place. I was left alone,
staring at the spot where he had dis
appeared Beyond doubt the entrance
awaiting me lay straight ahead, con
cealed by the hanging curtain. /
stepped cautiously forward, listening
for some guiding sound from beyond
that barrier, afraid TO draw 1t aside
md take a blind plunge into the un-
known. I could detect the murmur of
voices, several OF them speaking Span
ish, yet in such low tones / could dis
tinguish only an occasional empha-
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. I could discern men pres
ent, number Of them, lounglng about
on chairs. their outlines being fairly
revealed but the light was not suffi-
Client TO give me any impression of
their faces. It seemed quite possible
that I might slip in unobserved, and
pass among them unrecognlzed 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 its mysteries. The search
was brief, vet the very nature of the
rough board wall made concealment
impossible. Behind the dangling coats
j uncovered what / 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 j peered through the re-
vealed opening into absolute darkness
All I could be sure of, as exhibited by
the dim light of the passage. was a
single step downward, and then ap-
parently n strip of earth floor. I 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.
was still motionless, my heart
beating fiercely, when several men en-
tered the passage I had just left
Pressing my ear against the thin crack
] distinguished words so as to piece
together scraps Of conversation 1t
seemed TO me there were three voices
one speaking Spanish entirely, the
others using English. One of the lat
ter spoke first.
"'Tis dirty night out, but good for
our purpose. You came by motor,
Alonzof"
mo. Wine said that was too risky.
walked from the car line. What's
up7 Do you know, Captaln?"
The fellow addressed exploded in
Spanish.
"why you call me that7 1 tell you
my namer
IT'S safe enough In here. but I'll be
careful outside. What was this meet
ing called for?"
ut was a message from Washing
ton, orders maybe, that we act soon.
hope it."
From Washington Is Mendez
here?"
"Saprista, no! Can he move with
out dozen spies at his heels? He find
II messenger no one ever suspect She
bring the word"
"She? A womanY'
Sure that was better No one
know her: no one ever see her with
our people. II was good trick, and
II fool the pigs"
But who Is the womanY'
The other uttered grufr exclama-
hon of disgust.
"If ] know, you suppose / tell? Not