The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-31

many otNrf Io0fIth ht' fAA N'N
his memory had served him admir-
ably. But now no knew not what TO
expect. Therefore inwardiy on fro
but ou,wardly composed, muscles
,aut and nerves strung highly. he
waited the next development
tlnkiing OF silver bell. and then OF
II took the form. first OF the
tho coming Of dim light At tho end
OF what was evidently long apart
ment. Tho light grew brighter. as
sumlng tho form OF a blush flame
burning in n iltus nnmbeau. Sieol
Brlnn watched II fascinntedly.
Absolutely no sound was discern.
lble, until n voice began 10 speak. n
musical voice OF curiouuly aTres,ing
quality.
YOU arc welcome. said the voice.
you arc OF tho Bombay lodge. altho
a citizen OF the United States. Be
cause OF some strange error. no work
has been allotted 20 you hitherto.
This shall bo rcmedied."
Tho introduction of Mackelyno H.
lusions into an English country
house must ordinarily have touched
his sense Of humor. but knowing
something OF tho invisible presence
In which he stood IN that darltened
chamber. there was no laughter In
the heart OF Nieol Brinn. but rather
an unfamiliar coldness. the nearest
approach 10 fear OF which this steel.
nerved man was capable.
Temporarily" tho sweet voice
continued. you will be affiliated with
tho London lodge. 10 whom you will
look for instructions. These viii
reach you almost Immediately. There
In great work 10 be done in England.
II has been decided. however. that
you shall DO transferred aa quickly
as possible in our New York lodge.
You viii await orders. Only Fire is
eternal"
Again the voice ceased. But, Nicol
Brinn remaining silent:
Your reply Is awaited"
Fire is lifo." replied Nicol Brinn.
Tho blue tongue OF flame subsidized.
lower md lower, and finally disap.
peared. no that tho apartment becnmc
enwrnpped in absolute darkness. A
faint rustllng sound suggested that n
heavy curtain had been lowered. and
almost Immediately the doors behind
Nicol Brinn were opened again by
Rama Dass.
we congratulate you. brother" he
said, extending his hnnd. Yet tho
ordeal was no light one. for all the
force OF tho Fire was focused upon
you"
Nlcol Brinn re.entered the room
where the shaded lamp stood upon
the writing table.
II the speaker with the strangely
arresting voice were indeed that Fire
Tongue whose mere name was
synonymous with dread in certain
parts OF tho East then Firc-Tonguc
was an impostor. He who claimed 10
read the thoughts of all men had sig.
nally failed in the present instance,
unless
NIcol Brinn stared duly into the
smiling face OF Rnmas Dass. Not yet
must he congratulate himself Per.
haps the Hindu'e smile concealed as
much as the mask worn by Nicol
Brinn.
1--WE congratulate YOU" said Rama
Dass. you are n worthy brother"
He performed the secret salutatlon,
which Nicol Brinn automatically ack.
nowledged. Then. without another
word. Rama Dass led the way TO the
door.
out into tho dark hallway Nicol
Brinn stepped, his muscles taut his
brain alert for instant action. But
no one offered TO modest him.
A minute later he was seated
again In the suffered limousine, and
as II moved off, and tho lights lcapt
up above him, he lay back upon the
cushions and uttered a long sigh.
Drawing out a silk handkerchief
from the breast pocket of his dinner
Jacket, he wiped his face and fore.
head deliberately. Then, selecting a
long black cigar from "a case which
bore tho monogram OF tho late car
of Russia, he lighted II. dropped tho
match in the tray, and lolllng back
In II corner, closed his eyes YEARLY.
Thus, almost unmoving. he remain
cd thruout the drive. His only ac.
lions were, first, to assure himself
that both doors were locked again,
and then at intervals tidily TO place
n little cone OF ash In the tray pro
vided for the purpose. Finally, the
car drew up and door was unlocked
by the chauffeur.
n