The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-07-08
CHAPTER llI--Continued.

He pressed something In the side
wall, sliding back panel, and disap-
peared, the rough boards returning in
stantly into place. l 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. l
stepped cautiously forward, listening
for some guiding sound from beyond
that barrier, afraid to draw 1t aside
and take blind plunge into the I'M
known. 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 / 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, number Of them, lounging about
on chairs, their outlines being fairly
revealed, but the light was not suffi-
cient to give me any impression of
their faces. 1t seemed quite possible
that l might slip in unobserved, 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 hau disappeared gave me the
thought that there might also be 9TH
ers. / dare not follow after him, but
If 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 concealment
impossible. Behind the dangling coats
/ uncovered what I sought, and not a
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-
vealed opening into absolute darkness
All could be sure Of, as exhibited by
the dim light Of the passage, was q
single step downward, and then ap
parently strip of earth floor. ] dare
not wait and meet those entering
there was but one choice Of action.
pressed through the oriflce, forced tn,
panel back into place, and stood cree
in the intense darkness and silence
listening for the slightest sound.
was still notionless, my hear
beating nercely, when several men en-
tered the passage had Just left
Pressing my ear against the thin crac
distinguished words so as to piec
together scraps of conversation.
seemed to me there were three voice
-one speaking Spanish entirely, tn
others using English. One Of the la
tar spoke FIRST.
""Tis dirty night out, but good Il
our purpose. You came by moto
AlonzoT
mo. Wine said that was too risk
walked from the car line. What
upf Do you know, Captain7"
The fellow addressed exploded
Spanish.
"Why you call me thatl tell "
my namel'
TITS safe enough In here, but I'll |
careful outside. What was this NEE
ing called forf'
ut was a message from Washin
ton. orders maybe, that we act 500
l hope It."
"F'rom Washington Is Mend
here?"
"Saprista, no! Can he move wit
out dozen spies at his heels? He Al
messenger no one ever suspect. s
bring the word"
''She? A womanT
"Sure! that was better. No O
knew her; no one ever see her wi
our people. 1t was a good trick, al
II fool the pigs"
But who IL the womanY
The other uttered gruff exclam
dion Of disgust.
IL know you suppose tell N