The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-05
-IA- ROOM MEIER ELEVEN


 Another five minutes, and in her own personality now, a slim, trim figure, neatly gloved, the heavy veil affording ample protection to her features. Rhoda Gray emerged from the shed and the lane, and started rapidly toward lower Sixth avenue. And as she walked, her mind, re- leased for the moment from the con- sideration of her immediate venture. began again, as it had so many times in the last three days, it's striv- ing and it's searching after some ioophole of escape from her own desperate situation. But only, as it ever did, confusion came-a chaos of things, contributory things and cir cumstances, and the personalities of those with whom this impossible ex- istence had thrown her into contact. Little by little she was becoming ac- quainted with the personnel of the gang-;n an impersonal way, most Iy. Apart from Danglar, there was Shluker, who must of necessity be one of them; and Skeeny, the man who had been with Danglar in Shluker's room; and the Cricket, whom she had never seen; and be- sides these, there were those who were mentioned in the cipher mes sage tonight, and detailed to the per forcance of the various acts and scenes that were to lead up to the final climax-whioh, she supposed. was the object and reason for the cipher message. in order that even those not actually employed might be thoroughly conversant with the en- tire plan, and ready to act inteln- gently if called upon. For there were others, of course. as witness herself or, rather, Gypsy Nan, whose personality sha had so unwillingly usurped.
 It was vital, necessary. that she should know them all, and more than in that impersonal way. If she counted upon ever freeing herself of the guilt attributed to her. For she could see no other way but one-that of exposing and proving the guilt of this vile clique who now surrounded her. and who had actually instigated and planned the crime of which she was accused. And 1t was not easy task!
 And then there were those outside this unholy circle who kept forcing their existence upon her conscious ness, because they. too. played an in which revolved around her, and whose end she could not foresee. There was, for instance-the Adven- turer. She drew in her breath quick 4v She felt the color creep slowly upward and tinge her throat and cheeks-and then the little chin, strong and firm, was lifted in sort O" self-defiant challenge. True. the man had been a great deal in her thoughts. but that was only because her curiosity was piqued, and because on two occasions now she had had very real cause for gratitude to him. If it had not been for the Adventurer, she would even now be behind prison bars. Why shouldn't she think of him? She was not an ingrate! Why shouldn't she be interested? There was something piquantly mysterious about the man-who called h1mselr an adventurer. She would even have stven a good deal to know who he really was and how he, too, came to be so conversant with Danglar's plans as fast as they were nlatured, and why on those two particular occa- sions, he had not only gone out of his way to be of service to her, but had done so at very grave risk to him. self Of course, spe was interested in hirn--in that way. How could she herp it? But in any other wey-the little chin was still tilted defiantly upward--even the suggestion was ab- surd The man might be chtvalrous, courageous, yes. outwardly, even gentleman in both manner and ap- pearance; he might be all those things. and. indeed, was-but he was a thief, professional thief and crook It seemed very strange, of course; but she was judging him, not alone from the circumstances under which they had met and been to- gether, but from whet he had given her to understand about himself.
 The defiance went suddenly from her face; and for a moment, her lips outvered a little helplessly. It was all so very strange. and so forbidding. and-and, perhaps she hadn't the stout heart that man would have but she did not understand, and she could not see her way through the darkness that was like pail wrap ned about her-and it was hard just to grope out amidst surroundings that revolted her and made her soul sick If was hard to do this and-and still keep her courage and her faith.
 She shook her head presently as she went olong. shook it reprovingly a+ herself and the little shoulders squared resolutely back. There must be. and there would be. a way out of it all and meanwhile her po- sition. bad as it was. was not with cut at least. g. certain compensation. There had been the Sparrow the other night whom she had been able to save and tonight there was Nicky ---,er. She could not be blind to that. Who knew! It might be for inst such very purposes thar her life had been turned into these new channels!
 She looked around her sharply now. She had reached the lower section of Sixth avenue. Perlmer's office. ac- cording to the address given, was still 8 little farther on- She walked briskIy It was very different tonight, thanks to her veil, It had been hor- rihIe that other night. when she had ventured out as the White Moli and had been forced to keep to the dark alIeyways and lanes. and the unfre quented streetsi