The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-09-21
CHAPTER xl-Continued.


that we were at the same place? Had
she come voluntarily; or II prisoner!
Had she been tricked into coming? or
brought by force? and was she held
here helpless to escape? l tried the
door s0ftly-it was locked. This,
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 a
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 I endeavor
to escape from the house alone, and
then return to her rescue with help3
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.
ior why she had become involved in
this mesh Of crime. I 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. It
would be better for me to tell her all
hrst 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 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
'meanf-why, Mr.. Severn!"
"Yes."' 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 a question first, which may sound
ridiculous enOugh--where am II"
you do not know that even? l
can at least answer with certainty"
her composure returning; "you are at
PAT lie Compte street."
"Waldron's house; that possibility
never occurred to me. Sounds strange,
doesn't 1t? But the truth Is l was
Drought here unconscious"
"You were attackedY
"Slugged In COstigan's saloon" l
explained shortly. ut took three Of
them to do 1t. but they did good
Job. That must have been about
midnight. What time Is 1t now?"
ut 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
endeavored first to put me through the
third degree. and when l refused to
you know simply because I
possessed no knowledge to commune
cate-they resOrted to force, and here
I am"
Her eyes, wide open. questioning.
were upon my face.
"They-they asked you about me,
Why should they suppose you know
Largely because we were together
1t PerOnd's. presume. Harris
rlaims to know you-who you are. Is
that true?"
1T may be-" she admitted. "What
has happened tonight almost convinces
me. came here willingly, only to find
myself prisoner. Sarah Waldron
telephoned me that she was III, and
needed me. have known her ever
since wss a girl; we were from the
Eame town, so really thought nothing
Of her call. l have seen no
one here since l came-uo men. l
mean-and did not remove my clothes,
In anticipation Of being called"
"She claimed to be here alOneY'
There are rO0mers on the floor
below, but I met none"
"But found your door locked" I
Insisted
"That Is very strange. heard
nothing. Perhaps if You will explain
what they asked you, we may come to
some understanding of what this all
means. Does Harris accuse me of the |
'Yes and of the murder. The way
le tells it the thing does sound rather
Igly," confessed regretfully. but
elfeving the time had arrived for
lain speech between us. "At least /
'as in no position to contravert his
laims."