Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-06-15
CHAPTER III-contInued.


a
lie pressed something in the side
wall. sliding back a panel. and disap-
peared, the rough boards returning in
stantly into place 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. I
stepped cautiously forward, listening
for some guiding sound from beyond
that barrier, afraid TO draw II aside
and take a blind plunge into the I'M
known. could detect the murmur Of
voices, several OF them speaking Span
jsh. yet In such low tones / could dis
tingulsh only ar occasional empha-
sized word. There was no door be-
tween US; only thar thick, banging cur
tain, and ! ventured far enough TO
draw this aside sufficient TO peer
through with one eye. Beyond was a
reasonably large room, but SO dimly
lighted as to be scarcely visible from
end to end. could discern men pres.
ent, n number of them, lounging about
on chairs, their outlines being fairly
revealed, but the light was not sufl.
cient to give me any Impression Of
their faces. II seemed quite possible
that | might slip in unohserved. and
pass among them unrecognized except
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 the
thought that there might also be 9th.
ers. dare not follow after him, but
IL there was another opening to be
found ! was perfectly willing TO ex-
plore into its mysteries. The search
was brief. yet the very nature OF the
rough board wall made coneealment
impossible. Behind the dangling coats
/ uncovered what | sought. and not
moment too soon. Even as my hand
touched the exposed latch, a murmur
of voices In the outer entry reached
my ears--there were new arrivals be-
ing questioned, and admitted.
The panel slid back silently In its
grooves. and / peered through the re-
yealed opening into absolute darkness.
All / could be sure OF, as exhibited by
the dim light of the passage. was n
single step downward. and then np.
parently a strip of earth floor. / dare
not wait and meet those entering
there was but one choice of action.
pressed through the oriflce, forced the
panel back into place, and stood erect
in the intense darkness and silence,
listening for the slightest sound.
/ was still motionless, my heart
beating tiercely, when several men en-
tered the passage / had just left.
Pressing my ear against the thin crack
] distinguished words so as TO piece
together scraps Of conversation. n
seemed TO me there were three voices
-one speaking Spanish entirely, the
others using English. One of the lat
ter spoke first.
Its a dirty night out. ba. good for
our purpose. You ceme by motor,
Alonzo?"
"No Wine said that was too risky.
] walked from the car line. What's
up? Do you know, Captainf"
The fellow addressed exploded In
Spanish.
"Why you call me that2 tell you
my Manner
TITS safe enough In here, but TIL be
careful outside. What was this meet
ing called for?'
at was a message from Washing.
ton, orders maybe, that we act soon.
l hope It."
From Washington Is Mendez
here?"
"saprista, mol Can he move with
ont a dozen spies at his heels? He find
a messenger no one ever suspect. She
bring the word"
"She? A woman2"
"Surei that was better. No one
know her; no one ever see her with
our people. II was a good trick, and
Il fool the pigs"
"But who is the womanT"
The other uttered gruff exelama-
ton Of disgust.
IF ] know. you suppose l tell? Not
much. bat do not know. They trust
hers it not enough? 'Tis my guess
she come special for to do this"
"She is a Chilean thenT
"Mayhe; maybe American. Spanish.
What difference If she be IN our sely-
ice? They know Whit she Is: tonight
she is Marie Gessler-it has the sound
Of Switzerland. Beyond tbs l care
nothing"
but yeu have seen her. perhaps?"
"Not a sight; none of the boys have.
She was TO meet Alva at Times square
this noon. | went with him, but NO
girl--iust a messenger bi,y there with