Evening star., 1921-06-26

speculation. 1t was o'clock when he
had completed his arrangsments. He
took the subway to Harlem and con-
tinued in a taXicab.
Alsop's great wealth permitted him
rural loneliness even in this expen-
sive neighborhood. Garth dismissed
the cab at the edge Of a wide property
along the river. made sure he had not
been followed. then climbed the fence,
and entered thick piece of woods.
Immediately he knew there was
some one. He sprang aside. whipping
out his revolver. crouching against
an expected attack; for a figure blacker
from behind a a tree trunk. and the
hands carried something round. black
Put that thing down." Garth whis-
pered. then up with your hands"
Her laugh barely reached him.
Il thought it was you. Jim"
For minute looked for the veiled
woman.
i've come" she said confidently.
for her. and to see that you don't
throw your life away"
You must go back" he said.
Whats in that bundle you're carry
ing"
"and a white veil. SO that 1 may take
the bomb after I have trapped this
queer creature: SO that I may talk to
these men and learn how wide the
organization is
She argued logically enough that
there was less risk this way than the
other. Once she had-the bomb in her
hands She great danger would be
over.
They paused at the edge Of the
woods. The dark. vague mass Of the
building frowned at them. The win
dows. Garth gathered were heavily
curtained. for no CLEAN of light esz
capped.
II am going in with you. Jim. to
see it through" Nora whispered:
Don't be disapproving. I only want
Mora" he said hoarsely. "since 1
lost my temper; with Black: you've
with all my heart"
Hush! You were not to speak Of
that. Don't you see? It's because
don't know that 1 can't let you take
such chances with death. That's why
I'm here, Jim"
danger reached Garth more positively
than it had done even through
Browns unreasoning terror. Alsop
and Marvin met them in the hall
Both were white-faced and nervous.
Through the open door of library
Garth saw five men in evening clothes
gathered about a table which was
door,.
"The house is surrounded by de-
tectives,a Garth said. We've ar
-:nscG to take care Of the one with
the bomb. For there is a bomb, Mr..
Alsop. There's no point lying about
that"
Alsop pointed to the closed door Of
tho library
"An my figures, all Of my plans that
I've ever put on paper I've brought
out here for the first time tonight for
this conference. Don't you suppose
those devils know? And that thing
you can laugh at me il you like
them. When went upstairs Just now
to bring them from the safe felt It,
I saw something white. and ran
down. Ask Marvin. I'm afraid. I
acknowledge it"
I'm not sneering." Garth said. grim
w. We know your yeiled woman is
o'clock. It's likely enough she's up
stairs now. I'll search every rat hole.
because her apparent magic is pure
trickery, and If she isn't to be found
upstairs, we've net arranged down
here for her little later
Better find out what you can now"
Alsop advised.
Then, he went back to the library,
and Garth and Nora climbed to the
upper hall. Garth supposed that Mar
win would have made light for them.
but Of all the doors that opened from
the stair landing one alone was wide.
and no light cleaned through that.
Marvin !" he called. and again Mar
win! ,Maryin!'
Garth stepped forward. Nora reached
out and grasped his arms. : The quality
Of her voice startled him. -
Don't go in there without light.
Jin.'' -.
He shook of her hands. He entered
the dark room, and Immediately. he
knew she had been right. that he had
advanced too precipitately. He stnm-
bled against something soft and yield
ing. and went down. stretching out his
hand, to save himself. - =
Get back to the hall, Nora" he
cried. =. -, s,:+
80. s. : = 4 y =
LIE took his. fiashlight from his
= pocket. pressed, the control. sana
turned the ray on. the features his
hand had touched in the dark. Marvin
was stretched. face downward, on the
floor near the head 81 the bed.