The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-07-15

uer, ana Followed the other through
a broken-down lattlce-gate to the rear
OF the house. They paused in front of
the back door, and on 1t the leader
Knocked three times in a peculiar way.
1t was obviously prearranged signal,
Tor almost ut once stealthy steps could
De heard coming along the passage in
slde- The door WAS cautiously pulled
back few inches, and a man peered
out, only TO throw IL open wide with
a faint sigh of relief.
ITS you. Mr.. Waldock. IS it," he
muttered "Glad you've got ere at
last. This place is fair giving us all
the Jump"
Evening, jim" He stepped insid
followed by Zaboleff, and the door
closed behind them. sour friends
boat was a little late. Is everyone
here?"
Yep" answered the Other. "AIl the
six of us. And I reckOns we'd like to
get 1t over as soon as possible. Has
he"-his bic. sank TO q hoarse under
| tone-"has he brought the money!"
you'll all hear In good time" said
Waldock curly. (Which is the ROOM"
Ere it is. guv'nor" Jim flung
open door. And you'n ave to sit
on the floor, as the chairs amt safe"
Two candles guttered on square
table in the center ~ the room, show
ing up the faces of the five men wto
sat on the floor, leaning against the
walls. Three of them were monde
script specin ems of humanity of the
type that may be seen by the Thousand
hurrying into the city by the early
business trains. They were represent
alive of the poorer type of clerk. And
yet to the close observer something
more might be read on their faces: a
greedy. hungry look a shifty. lntrust-
worthy look-the look of those who
are jealous of everyone better placed
than themselves. hut who are inca
pable of trying TO better their own po-
sition except by the relative method
of dragging back their more fortunate
acquaintance the look of little men
dissatisfied not so much with their
own littleness as with the bigness of
other people.
The two others were Jews; / tile
flashily dressed, distinctly addicted to
cheap jewelry. They were sitting
apart from the other three. talking in
low tones, but as the door opened
their conversation ceased abruptly and
they looked up at the newcomers with
the keen. searching look of their race.
Waldock they hardly glanced at; it
was the stranger, Zaboleff, who riv-
eted their attention. They took in
every detail of the shrewd. foreign |
face-the olive skin. the dark. pierre |
ing eyes. the fine-pointed beard; they
measured him up as boxer measures
up his opponent. or a business man
takes ste :; of the second party In a
deal: then once again they conversed
together in low tones which were
barely above a whisper.
II was Jim who broke the silence
Flash Jim. TO give him the full name
70 which he answered in the haunts he
frequented.
"Wot abaht getting on with it. guv'-
nor?" he remarked with an attempt at
n genial smile. "This ere 'ouse amt
wot I'd choose for a bloomin 'oney-
moon"
With an abrupt gesture Waldock
silenced him and advanced TO the
table.
This is Mr. Zaboleff. gentlemen
ba said quietly. "We are little late.
7 am afraid. but It was unavoidable.
He will explain to you now the reaso
vhv YOU were asked to come here. and
not meet at our usual rendezvous In
Soho"
He stepped hack couple of PAGES
md Zaboleff took his place. For
o: two he glanced round at
The faces turned expectantly toward
aim. then resting his two hands on
he table in front of him. he lean
forward toward them.
"Ge1.tlemen." he began. and the for
ign accent seemed little more pro-
,ounced. 81 have asked you to come
,ere tonight through my good friend
fr Waldock, because ii has come 10
,Ir pHrS-nO NldtlSl INV 'l'"t is'Ai
ion is no longer d safe meeting place }
rwo or three things have occurred
otely the significance of which is
to disregard. Our chief
With whom | spent last evening. is Sc
iously concerned about these things.
"You spent last night with the !
hief?" said WaldOck. and his voice y
cid tremor of excitement. while me
theirs leaned forward eagerly us me- |
hen. in Eolland?' :
ale was AT six o'clock yesterda'
vening." answered Zabolef with
mint smile. "Today-nCw-l know no "
,ore than you where he is
"Who is he-this man we're alW"'S
caring about and never seeingF ne
landed one of the three clerks aggreS-
lively. 49,. :"
"Ue is-the Chief" replied tue II
her while his eyes seemed 10 pore 81
,to the sneakers brain. Just 'ha'- Oh
nd no more. And that is quite enough d
,r YOU" His glance Travelled rounu OF
bic audience relHNPu. | II