Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-10-12
CHAPTER III.

After a pause she was aware O.
nimble fingers busy with the ban
dage over her eyes.
AT first. when freed. the Ugh
blinded her. BY degrees she wal
able to distinguish the rocky cres
Of star Peak. with the tops of tai
trees appearing level. with the rocks
from depths below.
Then she turned. slowly. and look
ed at the man who had seated him.
self beside her.
He wore a white mask over deli
cate. smoothly shaver face.
As she met his brilliant eyes be-
hind the mask, his delicate, thin lips
grew tense in what seemed TO be a
smile--or soundless sort of laugh.
''yeree happee," he said ito make
the acquaintance. Pardon my un-
ceremony, miss, but onlee necissitee
compels Are you. perhaps, little
rested ?"
Yes"
''Ah Then. If you permit, we pro-
coed with affairs OF moment. You
will be sufficiently kind 20 write down
what I say. Yes?"
He placed paper and pencil in
Ewes hand. without demurring or
hesitation she made ready to write.
her mind cropping wildly for the rea-
son OF it all.
Write" ne said with his silent
laugh which was more like the
soundless snarl of a lynx unafraid:
ITO Mike Clinch, my fathaire. from
his child. Eve. -. am hostage.
held by Jose Quintana. Pay what
you owe him and go free.
For each day delay he sends to
you one finger which will be severed
from my right hand"
Ewes slender fingers trembled;
she looked up at the masked man.
stared steadily into his brilliant eyes.
Proceed miss, If you are so ami
able" he said softly.
She wrote on: "-Ope finger for
every days delay. The whole hand
at the weeks end. The other hand
then, finger by finger. Then, alasl
the right foot"
Eve trembled
Proceed" he said softly.
She wrote; IF you agree You
shall pay what you owe to Jose
Quintana in this manner: you shall
place a stick at the edge of the Star
Pond where the Star rivulet flows
out. Upon this stick you shall tie
a white rag. At the foot Of the
stick you shall lay the parcel which
contains your indebt to Jose Quin-7
tana.
Failing this. by tonight one fin
ger at sunset"
The man paused: Eve waited /
dumb under the surging confusion |
in her brain. A sort of increduious /
horror benumbed her. through which /
she still heard and perceived
BE kind enough TO sign It with
your name" said the man pleasant
Iy.
Eve signed.
Then the masked man took tn
letter. got up, removed his hat.
Il am Quintana." he said. Il keep
my word. A thousand thanks and
apologies. miss. trust that your
detention may be brief and not too
disagreeable. place at your feet
my humble respects"
He bowed put on his hat. and ,
walked quickly away. And she saw 1
MIN descend the rocks TO the east I
ward, where the peak slopes. I
When Quintana had disappeared /
behind the summit scrub and rocks.
Eyb slowly stood up and looked !
oheut her at the rocky pulpit so J
familiar.
There was only one way out
Qu'ntana had gone that way. His {
men no doubt guarded il. Otherwise.
sheer precipices confronted her.
The sun was half way between
zenith and horizon when she heard
somebody coming and rose TO a sit ]
ting posture. Her visitor was Quin-
tatna. S
He came up TO her quite close.
stood with glittering eyes intent up
on her.
: After moment he handed her
letter.
She could scarcely unfold it, she
treinbled so:
''Girlie, for Gods sake give that
packet TO Qu.ntana and come on
home. IN near crazy with It all.
What the hell's anything worth be-
side you. grille. l don't give a damn
for nothing only you, so come on
quick. Dad"
After a little while she lifted her
cycs TO Qulntana.
$50" ne said quietly, you are the
little she-fox that has learned tricks
already"
r-What do you meant"
fsWhere is that packet?"
~ haven't IT."
<'Where is III"
She shook her head slightly.
sfYou had a packet" he insisted
fs@rce,y. Look herel Regard" and
bea spread our a penciled sheet in
cHpch's hand;
fJosc Qu.ntana:
You win. She's got that stun
WiFh ier Tako your damn junk and
~ <.r: 60
q Mike Clinch."
"well said QuIntana. a thin.
rrtdent edge to his tone.
my father is mistaken. l haven't
NJ packet"
3hs mans v'sase behind his mask
rel 4srkly. Without warning or .