The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-10-26
CHAPTER xl-Continued.

AcS WHut uOuSc WAS tnIS tliHJ she
should be here? How did II 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
:, he main question. However she
came, she was now being held
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. ! hesitated. but for only q
moment. debating with myself the best
course to pursue. Should l endeavor
to escape from the house alone, and
then return to her rescue with helpr
,or face the greater danger Of attempt
ing to take her with mel 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. 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 be better for me to tell her all
first and then act at her direction.
I 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. 1t seemed, 10 me this was
tcc9aAplished In after SILENCE. but, as
the door fxtched behind me, she was
upon her feet. plainly startled by the
Intrusion.
Who are you? What does this
'mean?-why, Mr., Severnl''
"Yes." I responded quickly. yet
making no 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
you happen to be here?"
Perhaps you will permit me to
ask question first. which may sound
ridiculous enOugh-where am II"
"YOu do not know that even?
can ut 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 it7 But the truth IL l was
brought here unconscious"
-4"YOu were attacked?"
"Slugged In COstlgan's saloon"
Explained shortly. ut took three Of
sm 10 do 1t. but they did good
That must have been about
might. What time. Is 1t now?"
ut il after four; who are they?"
"Harris. Waldron and COstigan-
same combination"
But why should they slug you,
Mr. Severn
"Simply because of my connection
with tina 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
endeavored first to put me through the
third degree. and when refused to
squeal-as you know simply because
possessed no knowledge to cOmmuni-
catec.they resorted to force, and here
I am.
Her \eyes, wide open. questioning.
were upon my face.
"They--they asked you about mel
Why should they suppose you know
anythingr'
Largely because we were together
At Perond's. presume. Harris
claims to know yOu-who you are. Is
that truer'
1T may be-" she admitted. "What
has happDned tonight almost cOnvinces
me. l came here willingly. only to find
myself a prisoner. Sarah Waldron
telephoned me that she was III, and
needed me. l have known her ever
since l wss girl; we were from the
same town, so really thought nothing
unusual of her CALL have seen no
one here since I came-no men. l
mean-and did not remove my clothes.
In anticipation Of being called"
"She claimed to be here aloneT'
"There are rOOmers on the floor
below, but I met nome"
"But I found your door locked" I
insisted.
"That Is very strange. heard
nothing. Perhaps II yOu will explain
what they asked you, we may come to
sumo understanding Of what this all
means. Does Harris accuse me of the
robbery"
Eyes and of the murder. The way
he tells 1t the thing does sound rather
ugly" I confessed regretfully. but
the lime knd arrived for
plain speech between} us. AT least I
vas in no position fs consravert his
Nima"
W