Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-01-13
Copyright, by Randall Parrish
SYNOPSIS.

Su1ar agent, notices a small DOX WhlCn
attracts him. He purchases it. Later he
discovers in secret compartment a writ
Ing giving a clew to a revolutionary move
ment in this country seeking to over
throw the Chilean government The writ
ing mentions a rendezvous, and Severn
decides to investigate.
CHAPTER II.-F1nding the place men
toned in the writing apparently deserted,
Severn visits saloon in the vicinity.
woman In the place Is met by man,
seemingly by appointment, and Severn,
his suspicious aroused, follows them
They go to the designated meeting place,
an abandoned iron foundry.
CHAPTER III-At the rendezvous Sc
vern is accepted as one of the conspira-
tors and admitted. He meets a stranger
who appears to recognize him.
CHAPTER IV.-The stranger addresses
Severn as Harry DAILY. The incident plays
into Severns hands and he accepts it,
His new acquaintance is a notorious
thief. Gentleman George" Harris. Con-
cealed, Severn hears the girl he had fol-
lowed address the conspirators. She urges
them to hasten the work Of revolution.
CHAPTER V.-Leaving the crowd to
discuss the message she had brought, the
girl discovers Severn listening. She ac-
cepts his explanation of his presence and
makes an appointment to meet him next
day. He tells her his name is DAILY. Har-
riS informs him of a scheme he has to
secure sum amounting to 81 900, 900, the
revolutionary fund, and offers to "split"
with him. Severn accepts the proposition.
CHAPTER VL-Severn learns it was
his new friend and Captain Alva" who
had lost the box which started him on
the trail. Harris tells him the woman is
Marie Gessler. He arranges to meet
Severn next day at Tom Costigan's sa-
loon. Leaving the building, Severn notices
stalled automobile few blocks away
investigating, he finds the body of Cap
tain Alva, stabbed to death with hatpin
dagger. Securing it, he remembers having
seen 1t, or one like it, in Marie Gessler's
hat
Nor was l oblivious to the strange
impression left upon me by my en-
counter with Marie Gessler. She had
interested me oddly, and l could not
drive her memory from my thoughts.
Our moment of conversation had been
peculiar, and her words and actions
remained as a cOnstraint. Why had
she stood there, her hand on the door,
and talked to me In that mocking
way? Had she a purpose, an aim?
Did she believe my explanation? or
was her suspicion aroused into a de-
termination to verify 1t in some way?
Although l could not decide, yet doubt
less the latter theory was the most
probable. That was why I had been
pledged to call at "247 LIE COmpte
street." and ask for miss Conrad"
This was the same place where Harris
had secretly met Krantz. Evidently
it was another headquarters for these
precious villains. Once there, and
safely in their power, the truth of my
identity could easily be established.
Was that her idea?
If 80, who then was miss ConradY
Not Marie Gessler, certainly, under
another name, for she would have re-
turned to Washington. There was no
doubt as to that, for Alva had agreed
to take her direct to the depot in his
own car, and would scarcely leave un-
til she was safely on the train. Prob
ably the other woman was a cOnfed-
crate. with whom she would cOmmuni-
cate by telephone. My clearer judg-
ment told me all this, made me fully
conscious of the danger of keeping
this appointment, yet never swerved
me from an intention to do so. Marie
Gessler's eyes were frank and honest !;
they had looked directly into my own,
pleadingly imagined, and I retained
a blind faith in her no ordinary CIR
cumStances would overcome. She was
involved in this criminal conspiracy
there could be no doubt as to that
but why? under what conditions?
What could ever have driven so wom-
anly woman to such an association?
Was her appeal to me an effort at as
sistance? Was she blindly endeavor-
ing to learn in this way If l was
worthy Of trust, and confidence? This
hope would not down; 1t remained in
sistent, persistent. / would keep my
word; would go to the place desig-
mated, at the hour set; / would go
armed, prepared for whatever might
occur of treachery-but l would 60
Perhaps here was the key to the whole
mystery; and once 1 solved her con-
nection with the plot, particularly If
1t absolved her from blame, and the
necessity Of exposure, could go for
ward with clear conscience, and land
these others where they justly be-
longed.
I must have covered four or five
blocks immersed in such thought, al
most forgetful of my surroundings,
my head bent low before the rain, my
feet carelessly slushing through the
water in pools on the sidewalk. l met
no one, heard no sound to arouse me :;
all about was dark, desolate, forlorn
Then suddenly became conscious of
some unusual obstruction just ahead.
At first took it for wrecked wagon
lying against the curb, but another
step forward revealed the truth-a de-
serted touring car, its red tal-light