The diamond drill., 1921-04-30


pass among them unrecognized except
through accident. But the risk OF dis
coyery 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 10 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 / sought nud '"
moment too soon. Even ms ~"
touched the exposed latch
or voices in the outer entry reached
my ears-there were new arrivals be-
ing questioned. and admitted.
The panel slid back silently In It's
grooves. and l 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-
parentIy strip of earth floor. l dare
not wait and meet those entering:
there was but one choice OF action.
pressed through the orifice, forced the
panel back into place, and stood erect
In the intense darkness and silence,
listening for the slightest sound.
/ was still motlonless, my heart
beating fiercely, when several men en-
tered the passage / had just left.
Pressing my ear against the thin crack
together scraps of conversation. II
seemed 10 me there were three voices
--one speaking Spanish entirely, the
others using English. One of the lat
ter spoke first.
"'Tis dirty night out, but good for
our purpose. You came by motor,
Alonzo?p
mo Wine said that was too risky.
| walked from the car line What's
up? DO you know, Captaln?
The fellow addressed exploded in
Spanish.
"why you call me thatl tell you
my namey"
"Its safe enough in here, but I'll be
careful outside What was this meet
ing called for?"
1T was a message from Washing
ton, orders maybe, that we act soon.
| hope IT,"
"From Washington? Is Mendez
here?
"Saprista, no. Can he move with
out dozen spies at his heels? He find
a messenger no one ever suspect. She
bring the word"
"She2 A woman2"
"Sure that was better. No ore
know her; no one ever see her with
our people. 1t was a good trick, and
II fool the pigs"
"But who is the womanr'
The other uttered a gruff exclama-
tion OF disgust.
'If know, you suppose / tell7 Not
much, but do not know. They trust
hers II not enough? IT'S my guess
she come special for to do this"
"She is Chilean thenT
maybe: maybe American, Spanish.
What difference II she be I'm our serv-
ice7 They know what she is; tonight
she Is Marie Gessler-it has the sound
of Switzerland. Beyond this ! care
nothing"
"But you have seen her, perhapsY
"Not a sight; none OF the boys have
She was TO meet Alva at Times square
this noon. went with him, but no
girl-just a messenger hoy there with
note In code. Something had fright
ened the Indy, and she made night
appointment over here"
Here How did she know the way
out7"
"She didn't, for the matter OF that
But she had been pIped Off on JAMS
place, and agreed 20 be there as soon
as IL was dark. I'm wondering IL she
showed up let's go In and see.p
The three moved of down the pas
sage, Still converslng in subdued tones,
the sharp accent of the Spanlard most
prominent, and / became acutely
aware Of the black silence I'm which I
stood There was no occasion for me
20 risk my life farther in an effort to
learn more. / had located the secret
rendezvous Of this gang Of revolu-
tionary plotters. was aware Of their
connection with the Chilean Junta at
Washington, and II would be n COM
paratlvely easy matter now 10 capture
them red-handed. / saw therefore no
reason why / should venture further,
or endeavor to learn IN detail the ma
ture OF this message intrusted 10 the
girl for delivery. My duty now was
to report what had discovered, when
I the prompt arrest OF Alva. and few
! Others would end the whole scheme.
II seemed simple enough, II could
only find my way out safely.
But escape unobserved was far from
being assured. Any retreat by way of
the lighted passage was impossible !;
there were guards there at both ends