The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-10-15
CHAPTER xI-Continued.

Yet what house was TINS llldl slit
should be here? How did Ii happen
that we were at the same place! Had
she come voluntarily; or prisoner
had she been tricked into coming! or
brought by force? and was she held
here helpless to escapef | tired tle
door softly-it was locked. ms
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 q
prisoner. We must both be In the
same hands, in the Inscriptions
grasp of this desperate gang OF Grim
finals, determined to gain from us al
gany cost the secret we were supposed
! to share. hesitated, but for only a
moment. debating with myself the best
course TO pursue. Should / endeavor
TO escape from the house alone. ana
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 | was
afraid TO take upon myself the re-
spOnsibility. knew not who she was,
, or why she had become involved in
this mesh of crime. / feared Harris
knowledge. the evidence he might dis
close. and what his passion for revenge
might drive lin to do. If he once
found his game decisively blocked. 1t
would be better for me to tell her all
first and then act at her direction.
/ reinserted 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. but, as
the door latched behind me, she was
upon her feet, plainly startled by the
Intrusion.
Who are you? What does this
mean ?-why, Mr.. Severnr
"Yes." l responded quickly. yet
making no effort to advance, "yOu
have nothing to fear; only do not
peak loudly"
"But please explain. IL am cot
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 ~
You do not know that even? /
can at least answer with certainty"
her composure returning; you are at
247 lie Compile street"
"Waldron's house; that possibility
never occurred to me. Sounds strange,
doesn't 1t? 3ut the truth is l was
brought here unconscious"
"You were attackedY
"Slugged in Costigan's saloon,' /
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 it now?"
1T 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 spells are hidden. They
underworld first to put me through the
third degree, and when / refused to
queal-as you know simply because |
possessed no knowledge TO communi-
sate-they resorted to force, and here
I am"
Her eyes. wide open, questioning,
were upon my face.
"They-they asked you about mep
why should they suppose you know
anythingr
Largely because we were together
az Perond's. presume. Harris
claims to know you-who you are. Is
\ that truew
d 1T may be-" she admitted "Wbat
mas happened tonight almost convinces
ne. came here willingly. only to find
myself a prisoner. Sarah Waldron
'efephoned me that she was ILL and
ueeoed me. have known her ever
since ! was a girl; we We're from tho
Ssme town. SO really / thought NOTHING
nusual Of her call. / have seen no
one here since / came-no men
nean-and did not remove my clothes
IN anticipation Of being called.
= Sne claimed to be here aloneY
mere are roomers on the floor
below, but ! met none"
nut 1 found your door lockedp
Insisted.
That is very strange. heard
nng' Perhaps If you will explain
wnat they asked you, we may come 70
some understanding of what This oil
means Does Harris accuse me of tho
rohberyy e Vi 'i'e
les and of the murder The wav
ne tells II the thing does sound rotha.
ssS confessed regretfullv bnt
,eVing the time had arrived for
rsln speech between us. AT Ieas,
ciaims.r So'raVert his
You imply you suspect mo .,so .,
this crimey" N"e also OF
~o. not thatl l have given Won
" faith but n has ~. !ou