Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-05-02
that he thrust the papers back into the mat

that he thrust the papers back into the mat
tress-my mattress now.
"Why do you not destroy them2" I asked.
sThare is no time," he answered sullenly.
Then, moved by the force of habit, l think,
he sat down on the bed precisely over them.
l wondered-at his answer first, then at
another thing "Why do they not comer'
said querulously. "Are you sure that they
intend to come at all-that you have not
made fool of inc for nothing" .r
His face grew bright moment and then
fell again. "No," he replied; ''they set Q
watch on this house as soon rs they came
into the town, and are only waiting now un-
til time when they may be sure that am
at home That is all" found out after
ward that he was perfectly right in this
So we sat in dreary expectation, waiting IN
that little whitewashed room for the clang OF
musket butts and tramp Of feet that should
toll us the crisis was at hand. Tho candle
burned dlmly, the air was heavy with the
pungent odor that rose from the brasero My
eye fell upon his empty easel and the sight
carried me back to time, days before as it
seemed instead of hours, when l had still re-
gaIded him in the light of problem to be
solved. "And are you an artistH' 1 asked alb
ruptly. / was glad to break the silence.
s'sOh, yes" he said with apathy, Il paint
little" .. ... ..
"And that Spagnoletto-the St Christie
pher2 Is it really an original!' -:
1T is the original. You were right" he
replied. "It was the gift of a great nonas-
terry to the cause"
I whistled. II think it is pity" I said,
with jealous eye to the mattress on which
he was sitting. The fancy that that price
less Ribera carelessly rolled up might be
receiving with each instant some irremedi-
able hurt was dreadful thing to have on
ones mind. When my travelling clock in the
next room tinkled nine times, l could bear it
no longer. Look herr said, rising, II
am going out If you a., right, l shall be
arrested, and there will BIZ on end Of it. L
not shall come back and there will be an
end of this foolery. Jock! lie there; good
dogm added, pointing to the bed. And
strobe to the door. OF course l was still dis
guised in Clients ulster and cap.
He leaped up and caught me by tho arm.
"Por Dios!" he cried, clinging to me.
"You are going to betray me! You are Eng
lish, and you can give me up!"
"Man alive!" ! answered furiously, the
fellows distrust showed the black spot in
him so plainly; "if wish to betray you, I
need only stay here and tell the civil guards
who you are" '..-a 'aI. b" ''
He shrank back at that; suppose be
saw its truth, and I went out, passing
down the gallery and the stairs to the outer
door. AS opened this and, meeting the
wind, stepped into the darkness Of the en-
trance, before which the embers Of fire still
glowed family, confess that felt nervous
very nervous With each step that took
I looked for challenge or violent hand
upon my shoulder; yet I sprang aside when
the Gghtest of touches fell on my sleeve.
lit is 1, Pablo! Go no furtherm hissed
voice in my ear "The street is guarded,
senior. I have risked much to save you, but
can do no more If you get through is 1t
Almonacid:" ...
Isl, hombre, ST." whispered Then clutch
from me I continued: "But stay, amigo. Tell
me what can dor
II do not know. Have you no safe hiding
place insidef' he answered. cautiously. "Ha!
what is that" 1t was the sound Of approach
ing feet AS soon as this was certain, "Let
me go!" he cried, angrily, trying to tear him.
self from my grasp. ut is like you! You
would destroy me to do yourself no goodr'
released him. While he fell back into the
darkness retreated, cursing my folly the
while, into the archway and tried to efface
myself against the wall. I was caught in a
trap. l...>
The position was not pleasant one.
Tramp! tramp!-the feet came on so steadily
and surely until half dozen forms stood be-
;ween me and the dying fire outside 4
open of lanthorns, momentary starting
back of all parties Us a mustached guard dis
covered me, and with the ringing out of
word Of command nalf dozen carbines
came to the present in front of my breast
"Is this our MANI" cried the leader. He
did not wait for an answer, but added, impe-
riously, "Your name, senorf' .s.
II am English. Is not that sufficient for
you! Have care what you are doing" I
answered.
Enough; enter. Conduct us to your
room," was his order.
went in. On the veranda, at the door of
No. 9, stood Client, holding candle above
his head, so that his face was in shadow
while the light fell on us. He was pale, as I
saw q moment later, but he played his part
to admiration. "What is this2" he asked,
with the superior air which Englishmen per-
nit themselves abroad. "What does this
mean3"
"Your name, STRIP cried the leader, by way
of answer.
"My name is Rouse Lynton, and am an
artist and an Englishman," he replied,
haughtily "Here is my passport, and ask
you again what this means!"
The officer cast single glance at the paper
and returned it. "It is in order," he said
politely. 81 have made inquiries and know
about you, senor Do not let me disturb you.
We are merely making capture"
"But he, too, is English" put in Client,
looking at me in well feigned surprise.
:'Ciertamente! but criminal"
"Good heavens! 1 do not believe it; it
cannot be- Is there nothing" he added, ad-
dressing me with concern, "that can do for
you! Send a telegram, or anything of that
kindp
"Yes," I cried eagerly, telegraph to the
English minister at Madrid"
1T shall be done, and at once. Keep up
your heart"
"Spare your pains, sir" interposed the
leader with grim smile; 'you will do no
good. And besides, the office is closed" !
''rhen will have it opened" cried Client
hotly, acting the English traveller to the life,
and with gesture Of encouragement he
ratified noisily away. !
"Your room is No. l." dictated the officer,
addressing ME. Enter"
I did so. Jock sprang up, and with his coat
bristling about his neck, growled ominously
at my companions. told HIM to lie down.
at is the other Englishman's dog, )" said one
of the guards.
as that so?" replied the officer, glancing
sharply at me. ''Then how comes it in this
rooms But to work! Search"
In five minutes their skillful fingers had
overhauled the luggage which was lying
about. They found nothing to the purpose
THE bed, was the next command.
l do not know what seized upon me then;
whether it was sheer longing to give vent to
my excitement that carried me away, or the
memory of Clients words, "And mems lives
they will COST" that inspired me with some
spirit that certainly was not my own. I can
not say. Only know that when the order
Now the bed' was given sprang between it
and the searchers.
"No!r l shouted, waving them back
"Wait!"
If hal dim notion Of delaying them and
gaining time the attempt was as vain as it
was foolish.
"Madman!" cried the leader, dropping the
mask, and suddenly beside himself with