The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-06-23

low NOW.
q rather squat figure, concealed py
long, shapeless raincoat, wearing a
closely trimmed beard, and horn spec
tacles. His features were clearly for
eign, vet failed to bespeak the fighting
type. 1 placed him as a theorist, a
professor, perhaps, in some small COL
lege.
But my thoughts were not so occu-
pied with my guide as with the prob
lem of how I was to escape from him.
dare not go on into the presence OF
others, where discovery that I was not
Charlett would be immediate. At any
cost must avoid such eXposure-but
how? The place in which we were
gave me little inspiration. l. was a
low passage-way, Enclosed by rough
board walls, instantly driving home
upon me the impression that it had
been constructed for the very purpose
for which it was now being utilized
a secret entrance to prevent any Sleam
of light from being seen without. This
precaution, coupled with the tightly
boarded passage, left the whole build
ing apparently deserted and desolate,
to any chance watcher without. This
was evidently DO common, vulgar band
of schemers, but men with definite
purpose in view, which they were en-
gagged in carrying out with true secret
efficiency. They were plotting revolu-
ton. Only strange chance had given
me the clew. and only reckless per-
sistency had opened way before me.
Now my life was no longer my own; it
belonged to my country. I must live
to expose these men. But how?
NV heart failed me as I stared about
at the bare walls, and forward to
where a heavy curtain draped the end
of the passage. This widened as we
advanced, so as to form what evidently
had been designed as a cloakroom.
Wine stopped and removed his coat,
appropriating an unoccupied nail, and
I followed his example, rejoicing to OBJ
serve that he still remained so conf
dent of my identity as to not once
glance around in my direction. The
fellow seemed obsessed with some spe-
cial DESIRE. for he swept his eyes over
the swinging garments, and exclaimed :
"Not half of them here yet. I want
a word with Alva before the show
opens. Charlett, so YOU better go right
on in. See you later"
He pressed something in the side
wall. sliding back a panel and disap.
peared, the rough boards returning IN
stantly into place. I was left alone
staring at the spot where he had dis.
appeared. Beyond doubt the entrance
awaiting me lay straight ahead, con
cealed by the hanging curtain.
stepped cautiously forward, listening
for some guiding sound from beyond
that barrier, afraid to draw it aside
and take a blind plunge into the un
known. I could detect the murmur Of
voices several Of them speaking Span
ish, yet in such low tones I could dis
tinguish Only an occasional empha
sized word. There was no door be
tween us: only that thick. hanging cur
tain. and 7 ventured far enough tt
draw this aside sufficient to peer
through with one eye Beyond was &
reasonably large room, but so Siml!
lighted as to be scarcely visible IRON
end to end. | could discern men pres
ent. a number of them, lourging ahou
on chairs. their outlines being fairl!
revealed but the light was not Suffi
cient 70 give me any impression O
their faces. It seemed quite possible
that I might slip IN un0hServod. an'
pass among them unrecogniZed eXcep
through accident. But the risk of dis
covery was too great. must find some
other point of entrance.
The private doorway through which
Wine had disappeared gave me thu
thought that there might also be 9th
ers. I dare not follow after him. bu