New Britain herald., 1922-10-11
GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER III.

After a pause she was aware c nimble fingers busy with the bandag over her eyes.
 At first, when freed the ligh blinded her. By degrees she wa able to distinguish the rocky crest 0 Star Peak, with the tops Of tall tree appearing level with the rocks iron depths below.
 Then she turned, slowly, and looket at the man who had seated himsel beside her
 He wore a white mask over a de'i cate, smoothly shaven face.
 AS she met his brilliant eyes be hind the mask, his delicate, thin lip grew tense in what seemed to be smile-or soundless sort of laugh.
 'Veree happe," he said, to mak, the acquaintance. Pardon my un ceremony, miss, but onlee necissites compels. Are you, perhaps, a little rested ?"
 Yes"
 An. Then, if you permit, we pro. ceed with affairs of moment Yor will be sufficiently kind to write down what l say. Yes?"
 He placed paper and pencil in Eyes hand. Without demurring or hesi- tation she made ready to write, her mind groping wildly for the reason of it all.
 Write" he said, with his silent laugh which was more like the sound less snarl of lynx unafraid:
 "To Mike Clinch my fathaire, from his child, Eve. . l 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-'
 Eyes 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: '-One finger for every days delay The whole hand at the weeks end. The other hand then, finger by finger. Then, ala the right foot
 Eve trembled.
 "Proced,' he said softly.
 She wrote: If you agre 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 white rag. At the foot of the stick you shall lay the parcel which contains your indebt to Jose Quintana.
 Failing this, by tonight one finger at sunset"
 The man paused: Eve waited, dumb under the surging confusion in her brain. A sort of incredulous horror benumbed her, through which she still heard and perceived.
 Be kind enough to sign it with your name" said the man pleasantly.
 Eve signed.
 Then the masked man took the let ter, got up, removed his hat
 T am Quintana," he said. T keep my word. A thousand thanks and apologies, miss. I trust that your detention may be brief and not too disagreable. I place at your feet my humble respects"
 He bowed put on his hat, and walked quickly away. And she saw him descend the rocks to the east ward, where the peak slopes.
 When Quintana had disappeared behind the summit scrub and rocks, Eve slowly stood up and looked about her at the rocks pulpit so familiar. There was only one way out, Quin- tana had gone that way. Otherwise, sheer precipices confronted her.
 The sun was half way between zenith and horizon when she heard somebody coming, and rose to sit ting posture. Her visitor was Quin- tana.
 He came up to her quite close. stood with glittering eyes intent up- on her.
 After moment he handed her a letter
 She could scarcely unfold it, she trembed so: ..
 "Girlie, for Gods sake give that packet to Quintana and come on home. I'm near crazy with it all. What the hell's anything worth be, side you, girlie. I don't give damn for nothing only you, so come on quick. Dad" After little while she lifted her | eyes to Quintana. 50, ne Sal1 quletly, you dIe the little she-fox that has learned tricks | already"
 What do you mean ?'
 "Where is that packet?"
 T haven't it.
 Where is it?"
 She shook her head slightly. You had packet" he insisted fercely. Look here. Regard!' and he spread out a. penciled sheet in Clinch's hand
 Jose Quintana
 You win. She's got that stuff with her. Take your damn junk and let my girl go.
 Mike Clinch." well" said Quintana, a thin, stri- lent edge to his tone
 My father is mistaken. haven't my packet"
 The mans visage behind his mask ,ushed darkly. Without warning or ceremony he caught Eve by the hroat and tore open her shirt Then. and cursinc and panting with ,is own violence. he { searched her