The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-10-06
Continued from last Week)
CHAPTER v.
A Strange Appointment


A Strange Appointment.
must have failed to grasp the full
meaning 81 what she said. or else II
never e.curre6 to me that her retire.
ment would be made through This par.
dcular door. At least she had pushed
II wide open before I-realized the ne
cessity Of retreat, and / was hemmed
In behind Its barrier, fortunately Sc
curely hidden from the eyes Of those
In the larger apartment. Some one.
Alva. no doubt, from his words and
voice-was beside her as she emerged.
and, indeed, 1t might have been his
hand that swung the door back against
me. i stood there startled, unable to
move, afraid that my very breathing
might be overheard.
"You leave at midnight, you say,
senorita," he protested in Spanish;
''but surely you intend to remain at
presentT
until you reach some final decision
yes; that is my mission"
II shall see to that at once; we will
draw lots. You can wait either in this
room, or another just beyond. Prom
with you again."
81 promise that-so you are not too
long. Il must make that train"
you shall make 1t. My car is only
two blocks away, and I pledge myself
to have you there on time. All this
business can be attended to in half an
hour"
He stepped back, partially closing
the door, while she turned, her own
hand on the latch, facing me. Her
eyes stared directly into mine, her
face whitening under the light, her
teeth shutting down close against the
red lips as though to repress a scream.
She was startled almost beyond con-
troll, yet mastered the fright instantly.
She glanced about at the partially
open door. apd silently closed 1t tight
ly.
"What-what are you doing here7"
she gasped in English, her voice trem-
bling. "ListeningT
"No," ] lied. seeing but one pos
sible means of escape, and hoping
thus to prevent her sounding an i'm
mediate alarm. II was waiting for
friend who Is inside. just came into
this room"
"YOu actually belong here, then2
You are one of these men2"
"Not exactly" had to admit. 81
know one Of them very well, and he
stationed me out here"
She appeared puzzled, doubtful, yet
to my surprise still held the door tight
ly closed, her eyes searching my face.
"Who Is the man you know-your
particular friendT
I hesitated an instant, the name es-
Gaping me.
"Horner."
"Oh, indeed; you were not very
prompt to answer"
"Well." I said. and managed to
smile, as though 1t was Of little conse-
Quence, "you see have not always
known him by that name. There are
times when names need to be changed
occasionally"
'"True," she admitted soberly. 'Do
you mind gratifying the curiosity of a
woman as to what his real name
might be7"
II could not, II so desired Ever
since knew him he has been called
Harris. That is all can say"
Harris Then he Is not Chilean.
and never before pretended to be. I
thought that from the first. Is the
man American, English or Irish2"
- shook my head.
''You won't answer. That may be
ignorance or 1t may be pretense. Never
mind. Irecognize your face now. You
were the man eating in the saloon an
hour or so ago. Were you waiting for
this Horner--alias Harris-thenf
1--WE met later"
Her lips smiled little, and her
eyes.
"Did merely dream that you ap-
peared somewhat interested in me at
the time, or was II trueT"
"It was true" ! answered honestly.
"You did interest me. You didn't ap-