The evening world. Newspaper, February 23, 1915, Page 15

| | One of the Strangest Treesure loland Bomanees Ever Written HOWARD FITZALA stake ow cr ee Stas ee ee CHAPTER Il. (Coatinued.) fended me. / and Invited me to enter. ‘windows. ‘mirror in tarnished gilt, a mah occupancy of the room, “*fancy to met” I emailed. Ps “Well—suppose he doesn’t?” amiled and shrugged hi The House Without Lighte. 1H reached to the mantel | above the fireplace and took down a brass candlestick, the dtp half used. The fire serv- ing to ignite it, she led me to 4 Slight of broad thin steps. I follow- ¥ 84, my hand on the spindle baluster, «moting only that there was no dust; ig@ithough @ certain musty smelt of- 4! what was no doubt the third floor she tirew open a door H The room was of fair size, oak-panelled, with ‘Nefty ceilings and diamond-paned Some faded tapestry re- «opresentingy bo far as I could make out, a contest between some Knights » of the Arthurian period, hung above ,, the two truckle-beds in one corner. The floor was bare, and there were beside the beds only a grape-vined ny «Chest of drawers, and a great sea- chest. Articles scattered about in the shape of brushes, boot-trees, and , ether male etceteras vouched for the “Suppose Mr. Jones doesn't take a She shoulders. " she said, “that you know --where you are to sleep, you may leave your coat, hat and gloves here, and descend with me to the cellar. sI think you will find your friends roistering below.” wil ert wef “I will explain nothing just now. not the one to explain. “You are under orders, Mr, Stran- There was a hint of a threat in her tone “I am alwaye under orders to 1 responded, emiling. ‘This time I caught her unawares, : gpdeew her smniting behind ter sett. le!” she exclatmed. “Dees igs erg 9 you serious?” wf ing but the fear of offending you.” T eee her returned, glad te ie ber, “You me. @uch things to wome drew back, with a lit “Mr, Strangitharm,” she . “You must net eay such things to mes "Mer sald 1 coolly, and with a desire to umbi voust Tees te ther habit of creased him ae Chitty in leeding the je intake th. weld, “T believe you are very insi! » “I am aaid. “Bo few women und glad you believe that,” I "On tand me. Between uns there will be no misun- derstanding of attitude from the and you will not blame me at whatt” ane demanded angrily. “If what, str’ 1 emiled. : “Fou are detested! iy. “T have been foolish agotiom by to- to abstinence the pledges ace gonsrelly. worth as little as themselves,” she sald “q@pitetull: ‘With goptie forgiveness. she said hot- to feed your Lo “Come, don't be offended!” I smiled, ioe, She halted on her way downstairs, end for she continued to gs into an ink: lotch Inky splotel ich the candle did little to pene- descend- atone my te, I knew myself to be @ fight of womewhat My face as I way F it wea “Into my hair. rock wall in front of us. ber bare hands, ° me, me } Almost at the same and «@ great ghowed cobwebs had” \ ground red around a long table. My lady stepped forward. “A new companion, v@ald she, ancerin, o Mr. ne pushed me forward, atepped into the room. Mwouched the boards satose. Look via@y had gone. ; CHAPTER Ill. . Underground. master, Mere is our new friend: bership the taking of one bumen Re ot the by, 1 @, friend?” I saw that there was a matter of a heard of this man Frochwaige very . tl ing life. ‘tha! iy eae st sara, tet Maker acewered peraonal ancuitor betwen the Gert recent. My Brows cama tewetber yhatte aS4 Nees Sk my cht cnt gratied my eureaty in thea miner have ineked ambition ty the extant of dive we. ‘Our new friend, Robert—Bob, for man and myself, and I did not intend seeking further details from a recal- Qorawiing, Together wo ppled on a id pausing at that insignificant pumeral. ij WAS not prepossessed’ In ghori—ebout to join this first éoun- to let him force it upon me without citrant remembrance. Tee naore My crm twisted stone his Matters now manifested much inter- How favor of the room and ite cil, second branch, third grand or- good reason. m “If,” continued Longuehaye, gian- head. The impulse of the German up- et im my reasons for being there; “* tiom of the Lil He scowled at me, “song about cing at me sideways trom Wi staring ward rried me with him. His huge but having only shame in the remem- r me der yi wp which YoU MAB pes, "Hyon wink tw be aa, whole my oll drag drance of my orime, I fended off their ares Cape, ovine ‘eald I. “Hore it ts: srs, ued Sant. ¢ meme Tagore bis righe questions, ‘The demonstration of my Daoee bey s ot uerely ¢! Sean” in contact with a softer and the nde skied the moment I thought the Cong sorigd would be hurled in my we 3 but, turning, with a little angry bwébs filmed themselves about and I brushed ith shuddering fear ir might have dropped Now the candle halted, ite flame bathed a portion of The "Indy's actions seemed futile, for she moving the candle up and down Surface of the reck, pushing it noted now e first time the slender charm etan' ) apparently from the face of ingn are of light. damp walls me; and before me a emoky 300m where many men were gath- gentieme: equare. Te oe ee ie vouns Enciiewnen as about my height, but seemed — The German sat down, smoothing j) port befo Pembroke Jones tells of the aid coolly, indeed, 9 equave % wae: tals neine Jom and the young Enslishman aie ie et etait out ths ereasee' th it fat mocks Mf before me My hands went up before Pembroke zones, tere of eM, rather an sty 0n. for About the table, retiring each to ed E Whore 1 was all chest, Srochwaigs got § Vallee view of arn re ainag Kick landed on my chest, and f spat clocks. pedn't” slanting house bullt. at an out the last word, ferent corner to turn on a barrel Mie, 8 col ¥ involuntarily; something more caught T appeared, trom what | diacia” “necauso you would be the #0me cighty-five degress to the: 6 chooses to calf spigot over them. chet and As my fee! 1 beard a door behind, P eaw the World Dail = = beh Magazine. Tuesday: Pebruary 33° 1915 z t f [ i ‘ i i i | if E il 4 i turned to thelr ame qconpations, after semeving the Gedy of Frogh- “You aida’ waige te eee corner enti! Re ahoulg 1 did! recover his comectousnass. pi ‘The obief business @eoplay- “IN ckip i t tl i i ! : i | i i if i i Judgment, and come fifteen men at a time, the others that hoped’ crow@ing Blayere and grinsiag, *wer some of for there © certate amount of , 7 haven't any | ! if i i | i i i i i [ S588 i ii al Fie Ei a i + : Ey H i ! H Hl | ; S greasy | his gaudy eeny: face, contact of chin with necktie having affected It i ci iil? sit mpi Be 33 his re. bomy-faced fellow with broken nose and scant hair. “Hey, Eveling! Eveling, the broken-nose@ man, tared me with acant courtesy. “Get onto hie vest, fellere,” he recom- mended, I looked the length of the table, and saw but one face that com. mended itself to me, that of @ slight, pale fellow with hair parted far t one side and falling in a mop across a high, intellectual forehead. He wore a flannel ebirt of blue, with col- | lar and tle to match, and seemed ou: of place, situated as he was next t @ low-browed German with pendu- lous lips, and a dirty neck revealed irt, which seemed to, i e i ay EF 2 ij a3 i tls “life” longest gathered in the stakee of the eutire company of players. This, | | i ye | amoking and intermittent naidered melody, copstl- wae Seale on Chitty, the lite j i 4 £ & ij it ak On the other faced chap with 1! beady ey: whieh he licked he, So odd was t him; @ queer! ttle chap Ind th his huge turn.) down ecolfar and his little strip of knitted red tie over a coarse shirt. I had not time to observe further, for the bony-faced man had arisen and was taking the fabric of my allk waistcoat between thum! ana victorias, and the ona girl at the sight ef her heart ried t bay | peg “Taopent atthe fi, eong writer it_ in verse and sickly sentiment. But forefinger, both dirty, with apparent A fans table right of arm the doubtful hoper of Sa whole lo better then the Gee Me edged closer to me as bo te ve me the sat- bard: Gateee geet i ieee x. Known ‘as ‘Bully’ Frochwalee, wil chro all together.” words. diatingtly. form aig? At the eomg tape. wan fro nim ae tear trekle orn, Bye wnt , Five hima tonat and lead the chéfus | ‘Thegy were grinning faces al aay Geemiak ees ican Me fingers , it iz Several othere put of welcome cheers.” around the board. . corner of thin, bloodless lips. around his neck with a steady pres- I sald nothing, smiling ali ‘Ach!" said the German-American, “For two lidd! I_ would “Not worth while to fight a brute sure, holding him these men were to be my companions scowling. “It is a fine tongue in (4 punch your face,” sald Frochwaige. Bomebody will sure upon the tender elbow Mke that. Let it go. keatfe in in this ref nothing would be head that of youre—ain'd it, now I gravely made pretense of ex- slip a te Rim soon, Take 4&8 he struggied and ti , esentment, 100,” red t- ‘by re “As you please, O Caliph!” mur- eting two ping from my lapel and ce,’ with pain; then alt tl reel reason Tooke Me the ‘ero in ‘Lights o’ mured Qonsuena Somebody Phe cold matevolence of Longuehaye ™Y t hand aqueesed the bones of ence of auch oe hed London,” ‘e does” congded the rate | ene eet er wulleneck and eves the Hest art “atoseed, beipieeny, nese went to the far end of the é - el pleas! a faced chap. He of the broken nose ad- Doe tually hostile. “Here {d ts, deny" T waved Af" qeickly as my fingers loosed they pat silent, drinking heavily, Ace.” remark. he sald. “You, der new man, bromise T sata, pologise to Mr, doubled into a clenched fist and J in their game of “Shunt the 1" . to be obedient to der rules and = * gwung it against hie neck on the left told a stories and conducted eee vent toms of dis body?” —_ Frochwaige if I have offended him.” Sas fust under his ear; once, twice, duet of “Oh, Promise Me"—think ot “Den trink!" growled Frochwa: disappointment in hie eyes. “Trink! The remembrance came! This man —the man who a few weeks before ‘ot makes yer think he looks like bd ‘eo looks like ‘im, jest tha nawered Chitty doggedly. ain’t so well di Wi That ‘ero, 'e ‘ad on a beautitul "e did, and shiny shoes— ’ three times like a ponderous hammer. Loosing the German, I let his bulk go into @ heap on the floor. Then I sat down and asked for a drink of water. I was in consider- able discomfort from aching eye, chin “I will do the best I can,” I re- turned. n,”* {tl wit Uttle Chitty penta 3 noes crowd had mo additions. There none ef any qualities, other already mentioned; and he raised his mug, “here's a long life fer you und a short one for him what ain’d your friend. Trink hardy!” tuse to drink. going to do about it?” Chitty drew off, aullen-eyed, afrai Frochwaige, whirling, brought his Pi Jones, blime! y ‘urt my eyes jest to look The assembly rose, weving tim ay into contact with m: Jaw, Yor police to f % I i 4 chest; but the pain of my own broke Jot See en eee ited Bet them iew,. Mr, Robert” ald ka jo moment T felt sick, and backed sory shaped itesit into plotures, Lanw Burts fed whea I viewed with satis. things never do be quite the same Oe al NEYe- off, on the defensive the girl and @ child, « few months 1 old; @ bare chill room with e bed on the floor, a sobbing creature bere | to this great hulk of a mas, thesa— hay, “what is your toast to thie had time to rally illugtrioug company of vagabonds. 4 if ‘ifte." Tan- he teoth poled ge htinr g i “eed health and jong sewer redel| my mug. rade P span WA ther, catching some of the blows om the stage; not near so fine, I sy.” “Oh, sartorial rt!*murmured @ a lee. 78h, Wondrous phi- heard Chitty remark. I pied wee it done better oo eered me, and buried i thers, note rose im his voles. “But and Thad not “wry ain't you drinking?” he my tactios into operation, Conse- Pocky ne or ti Gemeees oe. 4 irt's split, and ‘ls eye’ e Why ain't things never done ie right wy, on?’ previously noted him. He was slender, and had a smooth. eee, I retreated the length of ven face, thin white, from which his asked. table, and as I veered to the qisht, to the table, The attention of the company was he of the broken nose interven “I know you,” I said, “And it's and unhealthily riveted upon me. ™ ! ” ht bod do . “Let me bathe your eye, old man," I chilly blue eyes looked out nakedly, "'‘yoter Bemanded Frochwaige. His That ain't po good way, tellers, igh time you got somebody to do péord some One. any, ‘as I omil favie apparently no lashes to ahads yaquct™ gaemanded Frochwaigy, Ht he protested. "You ain't fot room to want the police haven't done. Come fevent, Pembroke Jones put & cool them; but closer inspection revealed that hia lashes partook of the color- was soon to know. ‘Bob, heve,” oa: Rveling, tndtoat- to the other side of the table te the aching optic. ‘As the water trickled down {ny Hoe had been making queer no! lessness of his hair, a blond shade 3 1 since the Iquor fell into h 4 that resembled gothing 90 mucr oo dre Tphat ain't Lege ye con Now he erowahed, staring at Econ ro “Ine Cake a ivory. This Bair was brushed so S70 bo: a Bat S04 scraps has bin accord! “Kor God's sake—get out!” came y “damor and let silence gid Wyory. a nead thet it seemed ,,.7™, sorry, boys.” I apologised. order and Queensberry, And the feller slightly shrill Maia ‘rom the furtner Rushed thelr clame pal there. His lips aeemed blood- “But I've sworn off. I'm not drink: that's fought yo@ bas always bin eng of the “He'll kit you! ne be eaten” 1 beers ing any more, given @ chanst to take it back and ‘this to be Pembroke new com Chitty turned to him. “You'll drink thie one, though. I ask your pardon.” But T dared not look. My eyes fo'be tet Sty. Wests tant tere ragain’ Mr. Longueha: hope,” said Longuehaye smoothly, “Vell,” Frochwal; was edging 1 an. Longuehaye, Finally the hours wore themsel aald anarily, fy Hs prpceeeniie (oe tt caee. your sit Ro You Got VAY, with shrugged shoulders and slevated mane a4 He le to,keem out and a rap on the door outaie that @ poor bloke ain't got the mean- entrance into the gallant company. in? Vot you say?” eyes, gave directions for pushing back Py By eile st he caused & cessation in’ of. Jest ‘cause yer eddicated “Boys,” I further apologized, “I'm | “Solt’ny,” agreed the young Jew, be- the table. my Mt Send ae) ot CS rie ‘shut up," ya ‘ain't no reason fer comin’ it over @ sorry—awfully sorry; but I've sworn fore Eveling could answer, “He ain't “iret round,” he sald. “I'll be this brawling.” "Weil, good oe chep" —— a off—and, , Lcan't drink it, You tryin’ teh get outer that, You soaked «pob'e second, Eveling, stand back — jt was a familiar voles, a women’s as “t bes of you many pardons,” re- don't know how sorry I am-——” him a bum lamp and tapped his claret o¢ the ‘Bully’” sacl "than | cane’ ontteartin turned the blond man. “Many, many You"! know how sorry you are in oe and plenty. He's next to that, “My eye!” It was unmistakably vege Sore ig a ions, friend Chitty. You mistake a minute {f you don't drial,” grinned (i007. bg I ae Shitty, “Adnit it feat tke e DEP about the new hie ene 3 week my } haat ie Jew, Wareawaki. . ‘Sporting Life’—that's it ly, the smoothly, “He is room,” I gai He looked ovar at me, half-closing | turned fro; im, nee Teg'lar; and we framed it up that ber ,, "e col in in a dreng 12M A one eye In derision. I saw now th i Nim, to & smile fore a man got bis he was to know ero in that, 'e comes «i am to ‘take gare of nimecif, olpon't mention it,” he esid lightly. run up the table, Longuehaye's being particularly distasteful. The pale- faced youth, Pembroke Jones, seemed decidedly distressed; the cockney, Chitty, waa leaning forward, eying sult, ‘e does’—- There had evidently been some idea in the midat of thp company that this aftair was to be conducted in formal fashion; but Frochwaige, having The at present enjoying @ oor, the soporifie jucing this ef- fect lying in the of the new com- panion. I wouldn't bother about bim, cation of we had given him to be believed must local color, who you was. That's accordin’ orders from above—no fair fightin’ a ‘pug’ when you're not on to it.” Longuehaye had now put a hand on the German's shoulder, speaking in he had the semblance of a gentl man; spotless linen, well-groomed appearance. He paid no further at- tention to me, continuing to cut and shuffle his card “Good day—that's good aight with us, ye opened the door and passed out. l@ open je dot oul follo ved Jones a few minutes later, me eagerly, while Frochwaige, his in ‘waited perhaps half a minute, now senorita.” Eveli eyes narrowed, was biting his pen. D8 Coloriess, quiet voice. “Bully.” iiia4 away the reins of bia rage “As good as anything I ever ace at oor above and who h dulows lips. said be, “you've whipped every iitd*came closer to me, bis eyes Dat= the Poplar Theatre,” agreed Chitty, my walstooat, now clap! “Vot's dot—yeu don't trink™ ‘ of, *be crowd that cares to fi Fowed to the veriest pin-points, My v 7 I pesves Jones away and rose to the shoulder. “Don't pay no a oy re rfectly willing for you be ‘bi . tention to, thie bupgty® he Aim sorry '—— 1 DOOD so age cock of tbo Walk, BUC when atitt and {We*soior"sngwansral appearance of Bifaking eve Now. for the Aret tim aa don't mean not head o} ‘combany, and I order Cold 80 th couldn't speak for two Joi,od balls, stretching, down from I gaw her without @ coat or vell; a nooks and crannies. Jones closed the I think his sudden gen!- . days, the folks up-stairs gave notice dirty, hairy forearms that swelled tall, slender woman with pale hair door and locked it, then discarded his that any new member was to know that you were ‘Bully’ Frochwaige, the ex-champion welterweight, before he went into an altercation with you. out of a realization of my "Bo; new partner, clothes and got into pajamas, point- ing to a similar sult for my use which lay on my bed. Rid of my clothes with resilient muscles, I was no ea. and eyes that matched it—topa: ried to mile. ‘The door suddenly slammed, with her behind it. I sank back in my I repeated for about the fifteenth time. “But I have tal a pledge not to drink; and I won't. this gentleman ts a ‘s up to us to 4 boxer; no one knew that better than grip and the sign. Fill did I; but it had ever been @ belief give him t! That's final.” that there was no stronger man to and under the coverlet—for it was a ¢ , it's your turn to fill Thats And if that person apologized after rm. if f patina: cold morning in December—I accept- 0! Get a move on, now, Frochwaige left his seat and came that and acknowled your physical pl eR Ns fey that fat one ta the tay, Jones?” I asked, ¢4 hie cigaret! ve “Cut ahead, old man,” he emiled down to the end of the room, facing gupremacy you were to jet him alone. neck of his—that was all I wished--- as he, having rewetted the handker- wae eT eUt ate ata be' uth: “Xow, won't?! he growled Nemaday.! "gonaraed Wareawaus, oie blow on these ridges just below ahjet, put {t back te 7 ore, tir, OF Eireae an Sapeenes fap 4 angi os * his right ear. ‘ “lw A” he . ha * ene. dd x noddin, re the big noise down "Fa ot out and I staggered pace MB Well,” I eald, “It guess you know coach hi “Jones!” Eiveling raised his voice “Den you will be made! here, all right, all right; but the sUYe Loo ong ‘conning to view things CHAPTER IV. that I'm completely mystified. I was sewn with ivy. I smiled, Froohwaige was heavier upstairs are the Ormond eye is " * bi here by the jterious such an extent that and hailed the pale-faced youth to eee onkchonie. “Give. the wew earthly but soaring beavenward tv bg yb al wy than I, perhaps; but much of hip that I had come into a r whom I had taken @ liking, “get view new and interesting solar bod- rather a Chap-Book Mewe busy at your end!” heovinees was in superfluous flesh. gay cat e chanat!” jes; many millions of which flashed “I euppose you killed somebody?” him an ugly customer at fisticuffs, A fryh emell ot vecror why you laff, hey?" Hin arpestence was ‘pecullariy re. me wader the ribs. There must be could gather in the next Fire here ene ° ; * n't. At one time | southward. It was two - gheap whiskey assailed Thy Dosrive “I was thinking abouts joke some volting: his fat undershot Jaw, his two mules: one mule could not de- eenit eater in next frat here who eouthward. “nates Ie table, and it was some little time be- one told me to-day,” I answered; pink-rimmed eyes, receding f0Fe- ghort « ‘ie ee ee pro singe-c ee peer En < easy om bled re Fe 8 NS One ee a atvee then, taking the bull by the borne head. and wet, pendulous line, —no, the mule theory was untenable, the house to ramain awake few weeks I hive Longuehaye looke@ across at me, “about a Dutchman. a Hob," said Longuehaye, addrese- 7 sat suddenly down, fecling the paint ‘veoke 1 EEve ecsosien to making @ wry Yace as he m ied the "So," he sald, slowly, “Den wipe Ing me, “you are hereby formally pre- o¢ anaching and asl gat another Unt! the sun wae up, and then retii pg ng if tears te ox beatna! las ying whiakey. “Now, Bully,” hi pose you dell 16 ta See snort Ma: gentee 1 Horr Paieaay p Vreet wi blow stretched ra ay te mother vor tho day. It wee a rule that worl ‘ve, hae’ ls anybody In the rma som: lem 0 to wor ybody t Buby egnen Ge I T returned alr Frochwatge, and once holder of the ola Pangereus crawhed de os ey lights should be shown at night, and Wi he 4 mas. el we “I believe you have got rn . “I've forgotten yourself the honor for being toast- ily y ight. that no one sbould leave the house finn 1, be qualification for mem- the dling me; then a fist shot toward my face. A slight memory awake I hed having once entered It, Tho crowd Qortnn - wee. ww Re hs daconthandes a dbwneanaty: mend ay i a ore « ee 8 ASN ae Sucel shyetenh prowens sored me the wouble ' i is Anas bias hag. 4