Evening star., 1923-08-05
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

Continued from Yesterdays Starr
Greg was carried back down the
carved stairway. The two men whom
he looked upon as his appointed
executioners followed. and in the
position in which he was being car
ried there was nothing for Greg to
do but look in their faces. He saw
no mercy there. The one had a stiff,
rough crop of hair that started to grow
far back on his head and long,
scraggy neck. He swallowed con-
tinually. He looked like a carbon
eating bird. The other was still more
horrible short and dumpy with ii moist,
livid face, like sOmthing half-cook-
ed in too much grease. These two
were followed by others of their ilk.
The more human-looking individuals
remained upstairs. With every step
of the descent something seemed to
whisper to Greg: Take your last
look at light and life!"
The dark beauty. closely cloaked
and veiled for the street, had preced-
ed them down the stairs. When they
got half way down Greg heard the
door from foyer to corridor close be-
hind her. Her exquisite heartlessness
surprised him. ITS nothing to her
what they do to me-" he thought.
feeling little pin-prick of wounded
self-love even in the face of the hor-
ror that awaited him at the foot of
the cellar stairs.
Greg's bearer turned under the
stairs to door that stood presum-
ably at the head of another flight.
But even as he laid his hand on the
knob they all heard the sound of run
ming feet in the corridor and the
beat frantically on the house door.
One ran to open it. There stood the
dark girl beside herself with terror.
THE police: she gasped. Outside
in the street"
They didn't require her warning.
The house was filled with the sound
of a pounding on the big doors. A
peremptory voice demanded admit
tance.
They know we're inside" gasped
the girl. They saw me as | opened
the door to go out
Instantly the house was in confu-
sion. The nsgro dropped Greg on the
floor. All thought of their intentions
towards him was forgotten. Those
above came scampering down the
stairs. De Socatra was the only one
who retained his presence of mind.
Keep COOL he admonished them.
The door is strong. We have time
to get out. Get your hats and coats.
Ahanez, you know the way: lead the
others. 1 will come last"
Grabbing up their outer wear they
fed as softly as mice through the
door into the corridor. The negro
Milo. leaving with the rest was
sharply recalled by de Socotra.
Take this man with you" he COM
manded. DO you want to leave him
behind to identify us alI?"
Very unwillingly the negro pick ed
up Greg again and followed the
others out into the corridor De
Socotra put out all lights and brought
up the rear They turned to the
right in the corridor. that is to say,
towards nf ha lnr =,
covered way at the back they gain
ed another building presumably the
original stable of the establishment
As the stable door closed behind
them. Greg heard the blows of a
heavy piece of timber on the front
doors. De Socotra locked the doors
that they passed through
In the back wall of the stable there
was a door which admitted them to
still another building. rear tene-
ment apparently on the lot abutting
behind II was empty. They then
crossed a narrow paved court. and
struck through long close passage
The lights of street CLEANED at
the far end; u trolley car rumbled
in the distance-inexrres friend
lN sound to the prisoner.
AT the mouth of the passage the
iugitives all clung together apparent
~ AFRAID to venture out into the
lighted street.
.pe SocotTd coming up with them
commanded: DO not linger here
There is no one in sight Scatter in
different directions. Do not run. You
are safe enough. There is nothing
10 connect you with the 9Th street
mouse. Go. You will hear from me
in due course"
They melted away. leaving only
de Socotra and the negro in the pas
sage: The later had dropped Greg
10 the pavement. 1t was of brick,
ana d tiny trickle of cold water ran
down the middle of il. The negro
lnade some whining complaint to his
master that Greg could not catch
oh. crack him over the head,' said
de Socotra impatiently. Stick his
oodv IN some out of the way corner.
ana go to your own place. Done
leave the rope behind for evidence ;"
Ihat was the last Greg knew. oddly
enough he heard the sound of the