Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-06-08


mind what TO do. The fellow in the
darkness evidently mistook me for
some one of the gang. His confidence
in my identity as Charlerr mighs win
me entrance-but what then? That l
was not Charlett would certainly be re-
vealed by the first CLEAN of light. and
would be helpless. was alone. IN
armed, and these fellows, beyond ques-
ton. were engaged In a desperate
game. am sure I should never have
ventured it had not my companion
suddenly turned and grasped my
sleeve.
You saw Mendez, of coursep'
"Sure."
"And he vouehed for her; he says she
is all right?'
"He chose her; that ought to be
enough"
"H-ll, I suppose so. but even Men,
dez has made mistakes. Here's the
door,"
He raped lightly, his fingers still
gripping my sleeve in a grasp of friend
ship. could have broken away, and
ran for It, but something mysterious
held me, some odd fascination of dan
ger. l saw nothing, heard nothing, yet
had an instructive feeling that mar
row wicke: had opened in the door,
through which our dim outlines were
being scru.inized. held my breath
expectantly.
''Wno is there?" the voice was
mere whisper so close as to startle me.
"Gaspar Wine" was the answer, in
the same low tone. 1903"
"What wordf"
"Cervantes."
"But there are two of you"
"Oh, this is one of US. It's all right
Juan; I'll vouch for him"
The fellow inside grumbled some
thing in indistinguishable Spanish, but
opened the door silently just far
enough for us TO slip through one at
time. felt Wine press past me, and
was aware that the guard closed and
barred the door, but could see nothing;
not even my own hand before my eyes.
A latch clicked softly, and a dim
ray of light broke in upon us from
revealed passage beyond 1t was so
faint as 20 scarcely render features WIS.,
ible, and, as my coat collar was still
upturned. / pressed forward close be-
hind Wine without discovery. l could
perceive something of the fellow now,
a rather squat figure, concealed by a
long. lapeless raincoat, wearing a
closely trimmed beard and horn spec
tacles. His features were clearly for
eign. yet failed TO bespeak the fighting
type. l placed him as a theorist,
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 / was TO escape from him.
/ dare not go on into the presence Of
others, where discovery that was not
Charlett would be immediate. At any
cost l must avoid such exposure-but
how? The place in which we were
gave me little inspiration. 1t was a
low passage-way, inclosed 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 CLEAN
of light from being seen without. This
precaution, coupled with the tightly
| boarded passage. left the whole build
ing apparently deserted and desoIate,
to any chance watcher without. This
was evidently no common, vulgar band
of schemers. but men with a definite
parpose 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 a reckless per
| sistency had opened way before me.
Ncw my life was no longer my own; 1t
belonged to my country. l must live
to expose these men. But how?
My heart failed me as ] 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 lnoccupied nail, and
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 Re swept his eyes over
the swinging garments, and exclaimed:
Not half Of them here yet. l want
word with Alva before the show
opens, Charlett. so you better go right
| on in. See you later"