The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-07-16
The Mystery of
theSilverDa Dagger

and seem cOnversant with his vii
lainy.
The door opened toward me, but it
would be suicidal TO attempt viewing
the room beyond through that opening.
The only thing | dare venture was to
gain such survey as was possible by
means of the narrow crack below the
hinge on which the door swung. This
afforded ME the merest glimpse of one
side of the room, revealing four or five
men sitting mOtionless on bench
against the wall, evidently listening in
tently to what was going on opposite
them. With the exception of Wine,
who was third in the row, no face |
saw was in the least familiar-twO
being pronOuncedly Spanish, the 9th.
ers not so easily recognized as TO ma
tionality. l had no difficulty whatever
in Overhearing their voices, and grasp
ing the sense of what they were say
ing. AS general thing the words used
were English, although occasionally
some one requested an explanation in
Spanish, which was Immediately given.
However, almost the first sentence
overheard convinced me that | had ar
rived too late 10 learn directly the ma
ture of those instructions received
from Washington. Alva was asking a
question.
But we are ready to act now" he
said impatiently, his foreign accent
faint, yet plainly perceptible, have
been ready for a month past. What
necessity then is there for further de-
lay?"
The woman, whom he evidently ad-
dressed. must have been very close to
the door; her voice soft, but speaking
with clear enunciatiOn, sounded almost
within reach of my hand.
THE reason is Valparaiso, of
course" she said; ut is not Washing
ton at all. When you strike, the people
must be ready there. You say you are
prepared, senior. That is what | was
sent to learn, and l find you are not
prepared"
Not ready! We are organized and
sworn to service"
She seemed TO lean forward. her
voice changing almost to whisper.
Il see that, your eagerness. your de-
votion. But that is not readiness for
such a duty. Who has been chosen for
the act itself-the post of danger? No
one. Until the man / need not name
dies, we can accomplish nothing. You
have taken no ballot. If the single
word was flashed tonight, Co and it
may be. who among you is authorized
TO execute the order?"
She paused, but no voice spoke
"Nor is that all; the money from
England yet lies untouched. Surely
your instructions were clear. and moth
ing is being accomplished for the
cause while it rests in the vault. II
will require all of thirty days to dis
tribute this into the proper hands.
here and in Chile, yet nothing has
been done. We supposed it was al
ready in circulation. What caused the
delay?"
One of the men on the bench spoke.
a heavily built fellow, with long
gray mustache. and horn spectacles
shading his eyes.
"All know ISIS ct wait on der order
of Gustave Alva to be indorsed by
Senior Mendez. l hol' EFT so in trust,
from the agent. Eft was In a private
safe, a package of currency, only
know where. The bank hav' nothings
to do with der DEAL"
81 understand. The agent gave you
the letter of credit. which
you Immediately cashed. and you now
hold the currency subject to CALI"
Certainly; dat vos how EFT vos. The
agent he tell me-"