The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-07-15
By Randall
Parrish
Author of
"The Strange Case
of Cayendish"
Copyrights ~ Randall ParrtsA


rect 10 the main apartment, but TO an
other smaller room. whose door barred 1
my progress. This, l figured out.
might be the same into which Wine /
lad entered In search of Alva, when 4
he deserted me in the front hallway.
| listened intently, but heard no /
sound within. and, satisfied the room 1
was without occupants, ventured final
ly to gain a glimpse inside. Ii was a
room not altogether unlike the one
| had just left, although smaller,
and containing a chair or two In ad-
dition to the writing table. l noted
these things quickly, my gaze strayinS
TO partially open door in the board
wall to the right, through which
brighter glow OF light streamed. Ny
ears caught the sound of voices, the
words indistinct.
Although convinced the small room
was without occupants, l was some
moments screwing up my courage to
enter. Yet there was no other way In
this, or be prepared to intelligently
play my part later with Harris. To
trap the fellow / must know his pur
pose, be able to answer his inquiries
and seem conversant with his vii
lainy.
The door opened toward me, but II
would be suicidal to attempt viewing
the room beyond through that opening.
The only thing l dare venture was to
gain such survey as was possible by
means of the narrow crack below the
hinge on which the door swung. This
afforded me the merest glimpse Of one
side Of the room, revealing four or five
men sitting motionless on bench
against the wall, evidently listening in
| tently to what was going on opposite
| them. With the exception of Wine,
who was third In the row, no face
saw was in the least familiar-two
being pronouncedly Spanish, the 9th.
ers not so easily recognized as to ma
tionality. had no difficulty whatever
in overhearing their voices and grasp
ing the sense Of what they were say
Ing. AS general thing the words used
were English, although occasionally
some one requested an explanation in
Spanish, which was Immediately given.
However, almost the first sentence
overheard convinced me that had ar
rived too late to learn directly the ma
ture of those instructions received
from Washington. Alva was asking
question.
''But We are ready to act now" he
said impauently, his foreign accent
faint, yet plainly perceptible, "have
been ready for month past What
necessity then Is there for further de-
layf
The woman, whom he evidently ad-
dressed, must have been very close to
the door; her voice soft. but speaking
with clear enunciation, sounded almost
within reach of my hand.
"The reason is Valparaiso, Of
course" she said: at is not Washing
ton at all. When you strike, the people
must be ready there. You say you are
prepared, senior. That Is what l was
sent to learn, and / find you are not
prepared"
"Not ready! We are ors inized and
sworn to service"
She seemed to lean forward her
voice changing almost to whisper.
~ see that. your eagerness, your de.
votion. But that Is not readiness for
such duty. Who has been chosen for
. the act itself-the post of danger? No
.. one Until the man l need not name
) dies, We can accomplish nothing. You
have taken no ballot. II the single
word was flashed tonight Co. and II
may be. who among you Is authorized
to execute the orderr
She paused. but no voice spoke
"Nor Is that all; the money from
England yet lies untouched. Surely
your Instructions were clear, and moth
ing is being accomplished for thu
: cause while It rests In the vault Il
will require all Of thirty days to dis
tribute this int the proper hands
. here and in Chile. YET nothing Aal
been dsns. We suDDssed It was a
ready in circulation. What caused u,
delay"
II One Of the men On The bench spsks
heavily huilt fellow, With q len,
|. gray mustaehs. ana hsrn spectacle
!. shading his eyes.
II "Au knew IL q Wait On der srds
Of Gustavs Alva 70 be Endorsed b,
;. Senior Nendez- hof ett an In trust
i. from the agent. Eft VAS IN 4 privat
|. safe, 4 package Of currency, emily
!, know where. The bank hsv' nothing
:. to DO with der deal"
II understand. The agent gave 70
!. personally the letter Of cre'lit, whic
" you Immediately cashed, erd you no.
A. hold the currency subject 70 cNllf"
~ Certainly; dat vos how EFT vos tn
agent he tell me-"
iii