The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-09-23
xi-Continued.

should be here? How did 1t 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? | 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 vas o 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. l bt~i-dicd. bat for only a
moment. debating with myself the best
course to pursue. Should | endeavOr
to escape from the house alone. and
the. 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 I was
afraid to take upon myself the re-
s~pcnsfhility. ! knew not who she was.
or why she had become involved in
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, II he once
found his game decisively blocked. 1t
would he better for me to tell her all
0rst and then act at her direction.
re!nseried the key In the lock
noiselessly, shot hack 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, hut, as
the door la .hed behind me. she was
upon her feet. plainly startled by the
INTRUSION.
Who are you? What does this
mean1why. Mr.. Severn!"
Eyes," responded quickly. yet
making NJ effort to advance, "you
have nothing to fear; only do not
speak loudly"
but please explain. IL am not
afraid of you. Of course, but how do
SOO itulppCu " nc IlGTcs
Perhaps you will permit me to
ask a question first, which may sound
ridiculous enough-where nm IT.
"YOu do not know that even? l
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,
sdoeSn't it7 But the truth is l was
drought here unconscious"
you were a~ttacked?"
-Slugged In Costigan's saloon" 1
explained shortly. 1T took three Of
them to do It. but they did a good
job. That must have been about
midnight. What time Is 1t now?"
1T Is after four who are they?"
Harris. Waldron and Costigan-
some combination"
"Bnt 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 spoils are hidden. They
endeavored first to put me through the
third degree, and when ! refused to
sQueal-as you know simply because !
possessed no knowledge TO comlnuni-
cate-they resorted to force. and here
am"
Her eyes, wide open. questioning,
were upon my face.
'sThey-they asked you about me?
Why should they suppose you know
as~nything1'
Largely because we were together
1T PerOnd's. presume. Harris
claims to know you-who you are. Is
that true?"
IT may be-" she admitted. "What
has happened tonight almost conyinces
NJ. | came here Willingly. only to find
myself q prisoner. Sarah Waldron
felephoned me that she was III. and
needed me. 1 have known her ever
since / was 4 girl !: we were from the
oonne town. 80 really ! thought nothing
nnusual Of her call. / have seen no
- here since l came-no men. /
menn-and did not remove my clothes,
anticipation Of being called"
ghe claimed to be here aloner"-
sThere ars rOOn1ers on the floor
below. but 4 met none.s
But I found your door locked" !
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