The Ordway new era., 1922-12-29

II
II To Advertiser: Am 26; late cap
Il tain OF Engineers; university
/ graduate. adventurous disposition.
/ Would be glad to consider your
| proposition. Address. Box 81.
| University club"
| He placed this In an envelope. called
a club messenger. and, handing the
boy sum of money. sent him over &c
the newspaper office.
Two days elapsed before an answer
appeared in his box; small envelope,
addressed in lady's handwriting ap-
parently. and mailed from one of the
sub-postoffices. The brief note read /:
Box 81, University club.
Your answer TO advertisement
makes good impression, and 1 am
willing to put you TO the further test
of personal meeting. II you are In
earnest IN this matter, and quite pre-
pared TO assume the necessary risk.
YOU will be at the northwest corner
of Spaulding park at 3 80 tomorrow
| afternoon. Do not come in uniform,
but 1t will be well to bring evening
clothes in a bag Be sure of yourself,
and be prompt.
VERY truly yours,
"The Advertiser"
West read this over. again and
! again, smoking furlously. and endeav-
oring to weigh each word. The letter
sounded honest and sincere; the
writer evidently had purpose in
/ view. and was selecting an agent with
great care and secrecy. No hint as to
what that object was would be re
vealed blIndly-he must be tried In
every way first; thoroughly tested as
to both character and courage. Un-
doubtedly steps had already been tax
en- to do this. The delay In reply
would have afforded opportunity for
some investigation, as his address
would give the necessary clue to his
Identity. The request for evening
clothes, however, rather reassured
him; evidently his first plunge into
this mystery was not to occur in any
stratum of low society; no vast
amount of personal danger could be in
volved in such prellminaries. The ad-
vertiser was womanl This fact al
so stimulated his Imagination, and rem
dered him the more eager. By Jove
he would see the thing through
His decision was reached. He
would go, but would make every eff
fort to protect himself against any
possible treachery. He had room at
the club, and wrote letter or two be-
fore proceeding TO dress, arranging
for their personal delivery in case he
failed to return at designated time &;
carefully examined his service revolv-
er, and deposited 1t in the pocket of
the business suit he decided to wear.
Satisfied with these arrangements, he
dressed rapidly, and then packed his
bag bearing it in his hand as he de-
parted in ample time for the point of
rendezvous. A cab took him to the
place designated, and he found him
self alone in a rather desolate spot,
with which he was In no way famil-
lar. He had no knowledge OF how he
was to be approached, or identified,
but his being requested TO bring a
bag containing evening clothes. some
how suggested riding, rather than
walking, and consequently his eyes
followed more or less intently the con-
slant stream of automobiles.
He grew restless and doubtful as the
moments slipped past Then suddenly,
without the slightest warning, black
! limousine whirled In alongside the
| curb, and came to a stop Immediately
In front of where he waited. The
chauffeur. dressed In plain dark livery,
stepped out, and threw open the rear
door, without asking so much as
question Except that the fellow stood
there, looking directly toward him, his
fingers on The latch, expectantly
West would not have known that he
was wanted. Yet 1t was all so obvious
he could not question. Silently he
picked up his bag. and stepped for
ward. He saw no one within, but firm
in the belief that the chauffeur must
have his orders. he entered blindly,
the door closing Instantly behind him.
The curtains were drawn, the interior
gloomy and indistinct, and the driver
had resumed his seat, and started the
motor, before West realized that he
was not alone. In one corner of the
wide back seat, drawn back from any
possible observation from without, sat
woman.
At first glance he could only barely
distinguish the outlines Of her figure,
dImly discernible against the dark
background Of the upholstery. but, as
his eyes accustomed themselves to
the faint light, her features also be.
came dimly visible-enough 80, at
least, to convince him that she was
young. Neither spoke for some mo-
ments. while the automobile gathered