American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-06-10

was evidently no common, vulgar band
of schemers, but men with a definite
purpose in view, which they were en-
gagged in carrying out with true secret
efficiency. They we're plotting revolu-
ton. Only a strange chance had given
me the clew, and only a reckless per-
slstency had opened a way before me.
Now my life was no longer my own II
belonged TO my country. I must live
to expose these lei But howf
Ny 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 ~unoccupied nail, and
I 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 he swept his eyes over
the swinging garments, and exclaimed (:
"Not half of them here yet. I want
a word with Alva before the show
opens, Charlett. so you better go right
on In. See you later"
He pressed something In the side
wall, sliding back a panel. and disap-
peared, the rough boards returning In
stantly into place. I 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 It aside
and take a blind plunge into the I'M
known. l could detect the murmur Of
voices, several Of them speaking Span
fsh, yet in such low tones l could dis
tinguish Only an occasional empha-
sized word. There was no door be-
tween us only that thick, hanging cur
tain, and I ventured far enough TO
draw this aside sufficient to peer
through with n 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, a 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. II seemed quite possible
that I might slip In unohserved. and
pass among them ~unrecognized except
through accident. But the risk of dis.
covery was too great. l 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. I dare not follow after him, but
If there was another opening to be
found / was perfectly willing to OK.
plore into its mysteries. The search
was brief, vet the very nature Of the
rough board wall made ~conceaiment
impossible. Behind the dangling coats
/ uncovered what | sought, and not a
moment too soon. Even as my hand
touched the exposed latch, q murmur
or 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 a
single step downward, and then ap.
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.
l was still motionless. my heart
beating fiercely, when several men en-
tered the passage I had just left.
Pressing my ear against the thin crack
distinguished words so as TO piece
together scraps Of conversation. II
seemed to me there were three voices
one speaking Spanish entirely, the
others using English. One OF the lat
ter spoke first.
"Tfs a dirty night out, but good for
u purpose. You came by motor,
Alonzoi"
mo. Wine said that was too risky.
walked from the car line. What's
up7 Do you know. CaptalnY'
The fellow addressed exploded In
Spanish.
"Why You call me that7 1 tell you
my namer'
TITS safe enough in here. but I'll be
careful outside, What was this meet
ing called for7"
ut was a message from Washing
ton, orders maybe, that we act soon.
. | hope IT,"
From Washington? Is Mendez
hereT'
"Saprista, moi Can he move with
oat a dozen spies at his heels? He find
a messenger no one ever suspect. She
bring the word"
she? A woman?-
Sure that was better. No ore
know her; no one ever see her with
our people. II was q good trick. and
IT fool the pigs"
But who is the womanY'
The other uttered a grur exclama-