The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-05-26
Author Of
The Strange Case
of CavendiSh %
Copyright. by Randall Parrish


darkness evidently mistook me for
some one Of the gang. His confidence
in my identity as Charlett might win
me entrance-but what then? That
was not Charlett would certainly be re-
vealed by the first CLEAN Of light, and
/ would be helpless. was alone, I'M
armed, and these fellows, beyond ques-
ton, were engaged in desperate
game. I am sure I should never have
ventured it had not nay companion
suddenly turned and graspc1 my
sleeve.
''You saw Mendez, of course?''
."Sure."
"And he vouched for her; he says she
is all right?"
''He chose her; that ought to be
enough"
.H-n, suppose so, but even Men
DEE has made mistakes. Here's the
door,"
He raped lightly, his fingers still
gripping my sleeve in a grasp Of friend
ship. I could have broken away, and
ran for It, but something mysterious
held me, some odd fascination of dan
ger. saw nothing, heard nothing, yet
had an instructive feeling that mar
| row wicket had opened in the door,
| through which our dim outlines were
being scrutinized. I held my breath
expectantly.
mere whisper, so close as to start1e me.
"Gaspar Wine" was the answer, in
| the same low tone, 1853"
"What word?"
"Cervantes."
"But there are two Of YOU"
ooh, this is one Of US. It's all right,
Juan; I'll vouch for him."
The fellow inside grumbled some
thing in indistinguishable Spanish, but
opened the door Silently, just far
enough for us to slip through one at a
time. I felt Wine press past me, and
was aware that the guard closed and
barred the door, but could see nothing
| not even my own hand before my eyes.
| A latch clicked softly, and dim
ray of light broke in upon us from
revealed passage beyond. 1t was so
faint as to scarcely render features WIS.,
! IDLE. and, as my coat collar was Still
upturned, pressed forward close be-
hind Wine without discovery. I could
perceive something of the fellow now,
| a rather squat figure, concealed by a
| long. ,apeless raincOat, wearing a
closely trimmed beard, and horn spec
tacles. His features were clearly for
eign, yet failed to bespeak the fighting
type I placed him as a theorist, a
professor, perhaps, in some small col
lege.
But my thoughts were not so occu'
Epied with my guide as with the prob
lem Of how was to escape from him
I dare not go ON into the presence OF
others, where discovery that was not
Charlett would be immediate. At any
cost I must avoid such exposure
how? The place in which we were
gave me little inspiration. 1t was
low passage-way, inclosed by rough
aboard walls, instantly driving home
upon me the impression that 1t had
been constructed for the very purpose
for which it was now being Utilized
q secret entrance to prevent any CLEAN
of light from being seen without. Th1s
precaution, coupled with the tightly
boarded passage, left the whole build
ing apparently deserted and desOlate
to any chance watcher without. This
was evidently no common, vulgar banC
of schemers, but men with definite
purpose in view, which they were en-
gagged in carrying out with true secre
efficiency. They were plotting revolu
ton. Only a strange chance had g1ve1
me the clew, and only reckless per
sistency had opened a way before me
Now my life was no longer my own; L
belonged to my country. I must nv'
to expose these men. But how?
NV Neart failed me as stared abou
at the bare walls, and forward t.
where a heavy curtain draped the EN-
! Of the passage. This widened as w
l advanced. so as to form what ev1dentl
2 had been designed as cloakroon
: Wine stopped and removed his coat
I appropriating an unoccupied nail, an
: I followed his example, rejoicing to OF
serve that he still remained so conf
, dent Of my identity as to not ono
4 glance around in my direction. In
g fellow seemed obsessed with some spe
- cial DESIRE for he swept his eyes owe
y the swinging garments, and exclaimed
d mot half of them here yet. wan
: a word with Alva before the sho'
opens, Charlett, so you better go RICH
g on in See, you later"