Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER L?In a New York jewelry j store Philip Severn, United States consular agent, notices a small box which attracts him. He purchases it. Later he discovers in a secret compartment a writing giving a clew to a revolutionary movement in this country seeking to overthrow the Chilean government The writing mentions a rendezvous, and Severn Si decides to investigate. CHAPTER II.?Finding the place mentioned in the writing apparently deserted, Severn visits a saloon in the vicinity. A woman in the place is met by a man, seemingly by appointment, and Severn, his suspicions aroused, follows them. They go to the designated meeting place, an abandoned iron foundry. CHAPTER III.?At the rendezvous Severn is accepted as one of the conspirators and admitted. He meets a stranger who appears to recognise him unArt'Ek IV.?The stranger addresses Severn as Harry Daly. The incident plays ,. into Severn's hands and he accepts it. His new acquaintance Is a notorious thief, "Gentleman George" Harris. Concealed, Severn hears the girl he had followed address the conspirators. She urges them to hasten the work of revolution. V CHAPTER V.?Leaving the crowd to discuss the message she had brought, the girl discovers Severn listening. She acV?io nrocctn/to Q nrl ccyio UXO CAyiauaViVli Ul UiO vuvtiw ?MftW makes an appointment to meet him next day. He tells her .his name is Daly. Harris Informs him of a scheme he has to I secure a sum amounting to $1,000,000, the revolutionary fund, and offers to "split" with him. Severn accepts the proposition. fe'llVCHAPTER VL?Severn learns it was his new friend and a "Captain Alva" who had lost the box which started him on the trail. Harris tells him the woman is Marie Gessler. He arranges to meet Severn next day at Tom Costigan's saloon. Leaving the building, Severn notices a stalled automobile a few blocks away. Investigating, he finds the body of Captain Alva, stabbed to death with a hatpin dagger. Securing it, he remembers having seen it, or one like it. In Marie Gessler's hat CHAPTER VII?Believing Marie left , . the'foundry with Alva, Severn is forced to believe she. is the slayer. He takes the dagger with him. leaving the body to be discovered later. At the address Marie had given him he finds she is unknown. He visits Costigan's anil learns that Harris has disappear|. , N- ed. Costigan appearantly has no doubt that Severn is really "Daly" and gives him his full confidence. CHAPTER VIII.?At his hotel Severn finds a message asking him to 'phone the Hotel McAlpin. He does so and is invited V to csU- At the McAlpin he meets Marie Gossler. She refuses fully to explain her position, and he is unable to make up his mind as to whether she Is guilty or innocent of Alva's murder. The presumption, however, is all against her, and Severn, on whom she has made ^ deep "mpresslon, Is in a quandary. . . . CHAPTER IX.?With Marie, Severn visits Perond's cafe, an underworld resort, where the girl believes they may meet Harris and a Russian Jew, Ivan Waldron, a leading spirit in the scheme of robbery. At Perond's, Harris discovers Severn, and believing the latter has obtained the money after killing Alva, attacks him. Severn fights him and Waldron off, and, with Marie, escapes. The girl refuses fully to explain her position in connection V" . with the conspirators, insisting that Severn must give her his full confidence. With that he is forced to be content \ . CHAPTER X.?After leaving the girl at the McAlpin, Severn finds that his room has been entered and the dagger stolen. Bewildered, he about comes to the conclusion that Marie has secured it as incriminating evidence. On a telephone call from Harris Severn visits Costigan's. There Harris, Costigan and Waldron confront him. They refuse to believe he has not got the money stolen from Alva, and after a fight Severn is left unconscious. V CHAPTER XI.?Returning to consciousness. Severn escapes from the room in which he Is confined. He finds Marie in another room, and her partial explanation of her part in the tangled affair almost convinces him of her innocence. She explains her presence in the house by the fact that she and Ivan Waldron'a wife had been girlhood friends. She has been decoyed to the place by Harris in the hope that, having her in their power, the conspirators can Induce Severn to share the money which they are convinced he and the girl had stolen from **? A1TO. end to end. It was scarcely long enough for the purpose, which compelled me to make the noose correspondingly small. However, with this Improvised lasso gripped in my right hand, I took position astride the sill of the window, in an endeaver to project the loosened end over some protuberance of the blind beyond. By holding tight to the frame with my left hand, the right was left free, and I was enabled to lean out far enough to obtain a clear toss. There , was little the noose could catch on, j and continued failure left me listless j and discouraged. I lost hope, yet kept at it, and finally, to my surprise, the ring of the cloth settled over an j iron projection of the hinge, and clung ; there, extending straight across from j window to window. I hardly dared breathe as i drew the thing taut and I tested the firmness with which it was held at the other end. The noose closed down tightly about the iron staple, and resisted every effort at release. To all seeming it was as safely j anchored as though I had placed it j there by hand. Somehow the very knowledge that this had been aeeom- j plished, that the way was open, \ ' * I JAUf&BlBISH IQROP ? 'ANGE CASE of CAVEND , * ILLUSTRATIONS' <-BT ?4WEIL RANDALL PARR1SH "brought with it a renewal of The feeling of horror with which I had first contemplated the possibility of such an accomplishment Would I ever dare the attempt? My head swam as I gazed downward, and then across, and I shrank back absolutely terrified at the very thought: Yet my nerve returned, and I found myself cool and determined. It was no pleasant job, to be sure, and I was compelled to steel myself to the attempt, yet I no longer held back parahr fpqr I easilv found a secure fastening for the strip of bed-spread at my own window, and then, satisfied that it was taut and securely held at both ends, lowered my body cautiously over the sill, until my stockinged feet nervously gripped the narrow stone of the coping. I dare not look down or permit my mind to dwell for an instant on what was below. Slowly I straightened up, until my entire weight was upheld by this precarious foot-hold. To advance step by step was impossible; all I could hope to accomplish in locomotion was to stealthily advance one foot a few inches, sliding it along the stone, ever retaining contact, and then, as carefully drawing the other after until they met, toe and heel. It was the slow progress of a snail, yet the slightest effort at hurrying would mean a certain fall. This was not unduly perilous, however, so long as I retained firm hold on the sill, or even could grip my fingers over the lower frame of the open blind, as I was enabled thus to partially sustain my weight, and, even If a foot slipped, the feel of the solid wood yielded confidence. But finally my hand reached out and grasped only ointh fuHsfpd info some sem IliC V*V UU Vu* w ?? ? ? blance of a rope, and, as it gave sickeningly to the pressure, the old fear swept pver me in a torrent of agony. I could never make it?never! I would go swirling, crashing down to that death below. It was but a step, to be sura; a step and I could reach the firmness of the other blind; but, oh, the step?the speechless horror of it! Yet there was no going backward: I tried this, only to realize at once its impossibility, and the perspiration burst out from every pore, as the full horror of my situation suddenly flashed over me. I must go on, trust . # ? Ing to that thin, unstable cord, balancing myself above the gulf. There was do other way, no retreat, no means of escape. I do not know now how the act was accomplished; it is hanlly a memory, except as some wild delirium of sleep haunts one when they awake. Inch by inch I crept, hand encroaching on hand, foot pressing against foot, every slightest movement an inexpressible agony?then I gripped the support of wood once more, and clung to it as with the grasp of death. I clung there until my mind came back, until I felt the return of strength to my body, and I could look down through the moonlight without reeling dizzily. The blind was strong, firmly braced, and I felt safe in its protection. But what about the window beyond? Suppose it should be locked? or the room into which I opened, occupied? I could not continue to cling there in uncertainty: I must learn the truth?assure myself that I had not passed through all this tense agony in vain. I moved slowly, barely an inch at a time, each advancing foot feeling for support, but more confident now because of the grasp of my fingers on the upper wood. The window was closed, but dark and grimy looking, as though the room within had been long unoccupied. Its very appearance gave me courage. I balanced mysetf on the precarious footing of the stone, clinging tenaciously with my left hand to the iron hinge of the blind, while my right endeavored to raise the sash. ? ^T KqIiAT-cirl tho winHnn: Al UIM X Utuvn-u iuv .. ,, firmly fastened down?the suspicion leaving me numb with despair. But reckless tugging loosened its hold, and enabled me to shove up the sash little by little, until finally the opening became sufficient for me to squeeze through. I felt as though I had returned from the dead, the nervous reaction so great that I lay for a moment on the floor where I had fallen, unable to move. I knew I was alone, the space untenanted, the walls as bare as in that other room from which I had fled. I knew this, and in my exhaustion cared to know no more. Then I staggered to my knees, and, with opened eyes stared curiously about, gathering my wits together. There was nothing to see hut the four ualls. I tried the door, and it opened silently, permitting me tc glance out into a narrow dark hallway, lincurpeted. I could dimly discern the top of a flight of stairs leading down to the story below. I slipped out, and closed the dour softly behind me, being plunged instantly into funereal blackness. 1 "groped a way forward toward the stairs, guided by a hand against the wall, until the touch of the upper rail assured me of my position. A narrow strip of carpeting?rag I took it to be from the feeling?extended down the center of the stairs, sufficient to muffle any footsteps, and I paused a moment listening for the slightest noise amid the darkness beneath. All remained still and mysterious; so that I drew forth my shoes from a coat pocket and slipped them on. Twice the boards creaked ominously under my tread, sounding terrific in that silence, and causing me to hang in suspense over the banister rail, holding my breath in fear of discovery. * * - 4 T - S J nrv Of At last i auameu me \wuei" t*?, the bottom, and sought blindly to explore my surroundings. But for the carpet underfoot, and a small sofa encountered In a recess, I would have believed myself in a deserted house. I knew I was on the third floor, yet there was no curve in the banisters, showing a way to the next flight of 6tairs, nor could I locate them by any effort. As the result of blindly groping about, I lost all sense of direction and must have wandered into a side room through an undraped recess, for I suddenly brought up against a table, littered with papers and books. Startled by this encounter into a realization that I was lost in a strange house at an unholy hour 0f the morning, and that the slightest misstep in that darkness might result in an alarm to awaken every sleeper, fT a fewminutes I did not venture to move in any direction. Yet manifestly I could not remain there indefinitely, and so, blindly choosing a course, I set forth, feeling a way cautiously forward until I first ran into a chair, and then struck one hand against a side wall. I followed this latter as 'best I could, inspired by the thought that if I continued this course long enough I must attain the opening through which I had entered the room. On the way jt-'u. i.i.. my nancis ictic cue uuhilicb vi u nuocu door, and, ia aimlessly groping about, encountered a key in the lock. It was so inserted as to be extracted at the touch of my fingers and instantly a tiny ray of light "shot forth through the vacated hole. It was such a relief in the heart of that darkness as to cause me to quickly bend down and endeaver to view the scene within. It was evidently a chamber of some size, and well furnished, rather dimly illuminated by a single shaded electric globe, a handsome green rug on the floor, and numerous pictures hung about the walls. I could perceive the outlines of a bed at one side, barely within the range of the vision, and opposite this an ornate dresser, with three mirrors. But what my eyes rested upon with greater interest was a luxurious leather couch beside the further wall on which a woman rested, with some sort of covering draped about her. She lay with face toward the wall, motionless, and to all appearances sound asleep. To .arouse her wfes the last thing I desired, and I would have slipped the key back into the lock, and stolen silently along in the darkness, had she not suddenly stirred, flinging out one hand as though In fear of some dream, and 'turned partially, so that her face becaine clearly visible. The sleeper HSU] rne Sleeper was mane ue^icrt was Marie Gessler! For a moment I could scarcely credit the discovery; yet there could be no mistake. I remembered too well every * characteristic of the girl, to he deceived. Yet what house was this that she should be here? How did it happen that we were at the same place? Had she come voluntarily; or a prisoner? Had she been tricked into coming? or brought by force? aud was she held here helpless to escape? I tried the door softly?it was locked. This, coupled with the fact that the key was upon the outside, served to answer the main question. However she came, she was now being neld a prisoner. We must both *be in the same hands, in the unscrupulous grasp of this desperate gang of criminals, determined to gain from us at any cost the secret we weie supposed to share. I hesitated, but for only a moment, delating with myself the best course to pursue. Should I endeavor to escnpe from the home alone, and then return to her rescue with help? or face the greater danger of attempting to take her with me? The former move involved exposure of her whole connection with the affair, and I was flfrnid to fake linon mvself the re sponsibility. I knew not who she was, or why she had become involved in this mesh of cnhie. T TeareO Tlarris' knowledge, t/*e evidence he might disclose, and what his passion for revenge might drive him to do, if lie once found his game decisively blocked. It would be better for me to tell her all first and then act at her direction. I reinserted the key in the lock noiselessly, shot back the bolt and 1 opened the door, stepping quickly j within to instantly, shut out the glare . of light. It seemed to me tnis was j accomplished in utter silence, but, as the door latched-behind me. she was upon her feet, plainly startled by the intrusion. ( 'Who are you? What does this mean??why, Mr. Severn!" ( "Yes," I responded quickly, yet making no effort to advance, "you . have nothing to fear; only do not speak loudly." . j "But please explain. I?I am not afraid of you, of course, but how do you happen to be here?" "Perhaps you will permit me to ask a question first, which may sound ridiculous enough?where am I?" "You do not know that even? I can at least answer with certainty," her composure returning; "you are at 247 Le Compte street" "Waldron's house; that possibility never occurred to me. Sounds strange, doesn't it? But the truth is I was brought here unconscious." "You were attacked?" x "Slugged in Costigan's saloon," I 'explained shortly. "It took three of them to do it, but they did a good job. That must have been about midnight. What time is it now?" "It is after four; who are they?" "Harris, Waldron and Costigan? some combination." "But why should they slug you, Mr. Severn?" "Simply because of my connection with the mysterious Miss Gessler," I explained. "Harris had chosen to associate us together, believing we know who murdered and r.obbed Alva, and rrhorp the snnils are hidden. They endeavored first to put me through the third degree, and when I refused to squeal?as sou know simply because I possessed no knowledge to communicate?they resorted to force, and here I am." Her eyes, wide open, questioning, j were upon my face. "They?t^ey asked you about me? Why should they suppose you know any tiling?" "Largely because we were together at Perond's. I presume. Harris claims to know you?who you are. Is that true?" "It may be," she admitted. "What has hapi^ned. tonight almost convinces me. I came here willingly, only to find CoroVi WolHrnrik mywil It pilSVUCl. uaiau telephoned me that she was ill, and needed me. I hpve known her ever since I was a girl; we were from the same town, so really I thought nothing unusual of her call. I have seen no one here since I came?no men, I mean?and did not remove my clothes, In anticipation of being called." "She claimed to be here alone?' "There are roomers on the floor below, but I met none." "But I found your door locked," I Insisted. "That is very strange. I heard nothing. Perhaps if you will explain what they asked you, we may come to some understanding of what this all means. Does Harris accuse me of the robbery?" <<TT J XV>v 'I'hn TTQ T7 "l.eS UI1U UJ. U1C luuiuci. a. he tells It the thing does sound rather ugly," I confessed regretfully, but believing the time had arrived for plain speech between us. "At least I was in no portion to contravert his claims." "You imply you suspect me also of this crime?" "No, not that! I have given you my faith; but it has been given blindly. You have refused me your confidence. I do not even know your name, your place of residence, how you became involved in this cordon. You must acknowledge I am badly handicapped when it comes to attempting your defense." ! "You have been very true, vety kind," she admitted, and extended her "f nana. xuu uiusi huh ^icauj I appreciate such faithfulness, Mr. Severn. But tell me what Harris holds to be proof against me. If all this be true, we cannot waste time here in talk." CHAPTER XII. At the Foot of the Stairs "No, it will soon be morning, and all way of escape blocked.' He is willing to swear that you agreed to permit Alva to drive you downtown, and that you actually departed together. This charge can perhaps be answered by the testimony of Krantz, If he can be got on the witness stand, as you have told me he accompanied you on a street car." "Which is true." "I accept your word, of course, but Harris does not, and I must confess he has some evidence to create suspicion." 'You say that!" "I must, to be perfectly honest. 7 will even confess there have been times when I doubted. Let me tell you?Alva was undoubtedly killed with a dagger hatpin, exactly like that one in you. hat there." and I pointed to it on the dresser. Her eyes turned that way in an expression of startled surprise. "Killed with n harniu likf> that of mine?" "Yes, there is no doubt as to the nature of the weapon. I know more about that than Harris, even." "IIow are you so sure a hatpin was the weapon used? The police rej^orts sayjiothing like that." (Continued on page 7, culomn 1.) A Hare Girl. ".Jack said I was a dream." "What did you say?" "I told him to wake up."?Ex. To Cure a Cold in One Day rake LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE (Tablets.) It stops the Cough and Headache and works off the Dold. E. W. GROVE'S signature on each box. 30c. R. P. BELLINGER ATTORNEY-AT-LAW General Practice in All Courts. )fflce Work and Civil Business a Snecialtv. Monev to Lend. Offices in rear over Hoffman's Store. I BAMBERG, S. C. j . i Best material and workman- ?61 ship, light running requires P little power; simple, easy to K handle. Are made in several ' I sizes and are good, substantial Ij money-making machines down B.j to the smallest size. Write for IJ catalog showing Engines, Boil- || ers and all Saw Mill supplies. ;| - LOMBARD IROX WORKS & 1 SUPPLY CO. | I Augusta, Georgia DON'T RISK NEGLECT I Don't neglect a constant backache, ; sharp, darting pains or urinary dis- j orders. The danger of dropsy or Bright's disease is too serious to ig- j nore. Use Doan's Kidney Pills as j have your friends and neighbors. A Bamberg case. Mrs. J. A. Miller, Main St., says: "My kidneys needed attention and i when Doan's Kidney Pills were rec- ! ommended to me I used them. Three j boxes of Doan's put my kidneys in i good condition." OUCj HI a,H U"ciic;i?. i usicriuuuuiu i Co.. Mfrs., Buffalo, N. Y. fo Mi I A Year Ago $30 Would (Today $3( 100 pounds Sugar. 100 pounds Flour. 1 package Cream of Wheat. 12 tins Peas. 8 tins Beans. 1 packaeg Crackers. 4 packages Coffee. 10 bars Soap. ' . 3 pounds Prunes. (1 tin Baking oPwaer. 4S Eg?s. 6 pounds Rice. 12 tins Tomatoes. DON'T YOU CONSIDER THE G WE WILL APPRECL4 PHO t r I i om l i BAMBE i / The House of Qi HHBBBaBHHHmHB 11837 rnoi^iMr I DUE W] 1?i 9 I Eightv-four Years of Coi I Unwavering Adlierence t I Thorough Scholarship. I Courses: A. B., B. S., M. i I Literary Societies Empli; | Intercollegiate Contests | Athletics Worthy of 0 ? Adequate Equipment an( : Board in College Home i Ilonies Moderate. * For Catalogue ana Apj 1 ERSKINE DUE WI J. F. Carter B. D. Carter J. Carl Kearse Carter, Carter & Kearse ATTORNEYS-AT-l AW Special attention given to settlement of Estates and Investigation of Land Titles. Loans negotiated on Real Estates. I PTT.PV At ruwET.Airn I ' * *\JU WA - - T I Successors to W. P. Riley. Fire, Life Accident INSURANCE Office in J. D. Copland's Store BAMBERG. 8. C. BUY WAR SAVING STAMPS Colds Cause Grip and Influenza LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE Tablets remove the cause. There is only one "Bromo Quinine." E. W. GROVE'S signature on box. 30c. ^ A I Al l g notion snippers i I> For best results ship your cotton to The John Flan nery Co. They will make you liberal advj&nces on consignment of cotton. (t .. The John Flannery Co. SAVANNAH, GA. i m BROS. MARBLE *wn cpanitf rn A111/ uiiniu i u v v * CSIGNERS LNUFACTURER8 SECTORS X. The largest and beat equipped >n omental mills in the Carolina*. GREENWOOD, S. a i ' 1 \ Bay 100 Pounds of Sugar I ) Will Buy I * I pound Tea. I . 1 bushel Potatoe^ i 2 packages Oatmeal. 1 2 packages Corn Flakes. 1 1 pound Butter. i 10 pounds Corn Meal. i 1 package Pancake Flour. ? 6 tins Salmon. 1 6 tins Milk. ? 3 tins Peaches. 1 2 tins Svrup. I y 1 tin Lard. ? 1 tin Wesson Oil. If (ROCER IS DOIXG HIS PART. | lTK VOI R ORDER. | NE 15 I )ucker I BO, S. G. I lality and Service. ' 1 COLLEGE " I SST, S. 0. I ltinuous Service. I o Christian Character and I i., Pre-Medical, Special. I asized. I in Debates, Oratory, and | ^ O. y-v *-* OliipcUiCU-LL. I Endowment. C it Cost. ' Price in Private f ( dication Blank Write to COLLEGE I I 3ST, S. C. I 1 HBHI I 1 - *