The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-10-06

feet In the mud. The sound vanished,
and all about was silence and dark
ness. I waited only long enough TO be
sure he was safely out OF the way, and
then followed. eager to be of. One
thing was certain, would make no
effort to join him on the car; / would
use the remainder Of the night to de-
eide the future, working out the prob,
lem alone.
To make certain that avoided any,
possibility Of encountering the Yellow
again, passed directly through the
deserted lumber yard before emerging
upon Cans street. This thoroughfare
was at this hour desolate enough, not
light showing in tho houses, or q
moving figure visible as far as I
could see In the dimnsss Of the street
lamps. The rain was steady, the pave
ment shimmering with moisture, the,
only sound the pattsring Of the drops
as they fell. II any policemen were
abroad I saw no signs. and, with col
Lar turned mp to my ears. chose to
walk rather than seek tho block to the
east and the possibility Of q street car.
The factory district ended in a row
Of houses, dark and silent at this hour,
but the walking was good, and !
pushed forward briskly. 30 buried In
thought as to become practically In
sensible to the unpleasant surround
ings. The night had been q full one,
far exceeding my. expectations, yet
left me more puxslsd than ever ~ to
my own duty. So far L knew Of no
act OF crime with which these men
could be connected; they were mere
tral government. II. however, con-
scented to play my, part with Harris.
would not only be In ample time to
circumvent any danger Alva and his
gang might contemplate, but also gain
ample evidence for their conviction
and expulsion from this country. In
addition to this would be in position
to block the daring plans Of this inter
national thief. Altogether 1t seemed
to mo that the wiser course for me to
pursue was to wait, and watch, ready
to act at any moment, but keeping my
own council until certain that the
specific moment had rived.
Nor was I oblivious to the strange
impression left upon me by my en-
counter with Marie Gess'nr. She had
interested me oddly, and / could not
drive her memory from my thoughts.
Our moment Of conversation had been
peculiar, and her words and actions
remained as constraint. Why had
oh or
and talked to me In that mockinR
way? Had she purpose, an aim7
Did she believe my eXplanation2 or
was her suspicion aroused into a de-
termination to verify 1t In some way2
Although l could not decide, yet doubt
less the latter theory was the mest
probable. That was why l had been
pledged to call at .'247 lie Compte
street., and ask for miss Conrad"
This was the same place where Harris
had secretly met KrantZ. Evidently
1T was another headquarters for these
precious villains. Once there, and
safely in their power, the truth Of my
identity could easily be established.
Was that her idea7
II 80, who then was "Miss Conrad7
Not Marie Gessfer, certainly, under
another name, for she would have re-
turned to Washington. There was no
doubt as to that, for Aiva had agreed
to take her direct to the depot In his
own car, and would scarcely leave un-
til she was safely on the train. Prob
ably the other woman was conied-
crate, with whom she would communi-
cate by telephone. Ny clearer judg-
ment told me all this, made me fully
conscious OF the danger of keeping
this appointment, yet never swerved
me from an intention to do 30. Marie
Gessler's eyes were frank and honest !;
they had looked directly into my own,
plead!ngly I imagined, and I retained
. blind faith In her no ordinary cir
cumstances would overcome. She vas
involved IN this criminal conspiracy
there could Do no doubt as to that
but whyf under what condItionsr ?
What could ever have driven so wor-
an1y q woman to such an assol;at ton !;
Was her appeal to me an effort at AS
sistancef Was she blindly endeavor-
Ing to learn In this way II I was
worthy Of trust, and confidencer This
hope would not down; It remained in
sistent, persistent. would keep my
word: I would 60 TO the place desig-
mated, at the hour set; I would to
armed, prepared for whatever might
occur Of treachery-but I would 70.
Perhaps here was the key 70 the whole
mystery; and once I solved her con.
nection with the plot, particularly II
Il absolved her from blame, and the
necessity Of exposure. I could 90 for
ward with clear conscience, and land
these others where they Justly b.
longod.