The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-25
FICTION

 spoken in an undertone. The box, suddenly jerked from the wagon, thudded upon the ground with jar that made Bristow thank full for the gag that prevented his teeth from being shaken loose. The wagon was driven away. The receptacle in which he was im- prisoned was at once lifted and borne through dark alleyway, where it's bearers paused before a small door. There they were halted by muffled figure which sprang from the shadows.
 After short interchange of words the door was thrown open by the fourth per- son, who evidently was a sentinel. With some difficulty the box was showed through the doorway. The men then lifted and bore it along a corridor, at the end of which they were halted by second sentry. whis- pered word from one of the trio proved an open sesame. The men were permitted to pass through another doorway, after which the box was again set down.
 Greatly to his relief the sounds which en- sued immediately told Bristow that prepa- rations were being made to remove him from his uncomfortable quarters.
 After what seemed endless prying and pounding the lid of the box was raised. The lawyer, half dead from cold and the effects of his cramped position, was lifted out and dropped to the floor. His late prison was carried away.
 The Italians now cut the bonds that fet- tered Bristow's ankles and he was per- mitted to rise to his feet Much to his
 
 mouth. But his hands were left bound be- hind his back.
 The attorney immediately set up loud shouting, which, strange to say, his captors made no effort to restrain. From the ex- pression of amusement on their villainous faces he judged he was in a place from which no sound could penetrate. Breath less, he gave over shouting and turned his eyes upon his surroundings.
 He found himself in a small room bare of furniture and having a floor composed details when he was seized upon either side and propelled toward a door at the further end of the room.
 Three short raps upon the upper panel resulted in the opening of this portal. The lawyer was ushered into larger apart ment, There strange scene dazzled his eyes. The walls about him were hung with sable velvet. Ranged in semi-circle were number of chairs upholstered in similar material. In the center of the room was a large table draped with goods of the same texture and somber hue.
 Bristow gave a start of comprehension, as he noted that at regular intervals on the wall hangings, on the chair backs and in the middle of the table cover were em- broidered circles of crimson pierced by dag gers of royal purple.
 But what instantly caught and held the attorneys attention as by some magic spell was tall figure seated at the table, This individuals form and. face were effectually concealed by crimson gown surmounted by black cowl, the eyelets of which were circed with crimson. Between these open ings ran diagonally the omnpresent purple ponard.
 No words were needed to tell Bristow that he was in the rendezvous of the secret band which he had so intimately associated in his mind with the baffling affair at Crest doubtedly the ruler of the organization. But the circumstances attending the discovery were not favorable to the lawyers ever making the fact known in an effort to solve the mystery of Dr. Selden's death.
 For several minutes of silence Bristow stood staring dazedly at the form before the table. Then the robed and cowled fig ure waved him forward to chair